Intel's AI Playground Update: Local AI Computing for Core Ultra 200V Series

Intel's New Windows App Can Locally Run AI Chatbots

Hackers Mod Meta Smart Glasses to Automatically Dox Everyone Intel has recently updated its AI Playground application with new features and functionalities specifically for its latest Core Ultra 200V series processors. It's a one-stop shop for trying out AI and machine learning tasks that run directly on your PC. The latest version of AI Playground (v1.21b) comes with a new theme exclusively for Core Ultra 200V series processors. It also includes a pre-populated LLM picker with Large Language Models (LLMs) like Phi3, Qwen2, and Mistral. However, users can still use their own native PyTorch LLMs as long as they are compatible with Transformer version 4.39 or later. AI Playground also supports the integration of local documents for searching, summarization, and insights. Users can download alternative models from platforms like CivitAI and Huggingface. All AI computations, prompts, and outputs are processed locally on the user's computer instead of in the cloud for added security. The horizontal and vertical resolution sliders have been replaced with a preset aspect ratio picker for the Create and Enhance features. This change simplifies getting the wanted pixel count and shape when generating images. Another cool addition is the Conversation Manager, which lets users save their chat discussions and return to specific topics later. This way, there's no need to make whole new chats or try to get the AI in the same headspace if you need it to focus on one thing for a bit. This feature saves the conversation history to help with the continuity of projects like coding or creative writing. The installer has been improved to have a much smoother installation. It now includes the VC++ Redistributable installer to address missing DLL issues and will adjust to a free port. This will prevent conflicts with existing applications or services. An exception handler has also been added to provide information on installation issues and facilitate support requests. LM Studio is a great pick for those who want an alternative to AI Playground, especially for users who like privacy and local processing. Unlike AI Playground, which is optimized for Intel PCs with Arc GPUs, LM Studio runs on a wider range of Windows machines (as well as Mac and Linux). This makes it accessible to users with different hardware configurations. The updated AI Playground is available to download from Intel's website. It works on systems with an Intel Core Ultra PC with a built-in Intel Arc GPU or an Intel Arc Graphics discrete card with 8GB of memory. Source: Intel via ExtremeTech

Intel releases AI Playground app for local AI computing -- Lunar Lake support added in the latest version

Intel just released the latest version of AI Playground, an app that takes advantage of Intel's latest chips' AI capabilities. The company built AI Playground to help Intel users become more familiar with its AI capabilities without needing an account or an internet connection, much like Microsoft added Solitaire to early Windows operating systems to help users get accustomed to the mouse. If you want to try AI Playground, you must have one of the following chips on your laptop or desktop PC: an Intel Core Ultra 200V (codenamed Lunar Lake) CPU, an Intel Core Ultra H processor, or any Intel Arc discrete GPU with at least 8GB of VRAM. However, Team Blue's newest chip users would get the latest version, 1.21b, with a new theme and look. Nevertheless, these are the other things that AI Playground can do for you: In addition to the three LLMs included in the program -- Phi3, Qwen2, and Mistral -- you can also install your own native PyTorch LLMs compatible with Transformer version 4.39. One of the headlining features of AI Playground is that it runs 100% locally on your computer. Intel says that all AI computation, prompts, and output are done on your system, so you do not transfer any information to any third party. So, AI Playground offers its users full privacy, giving them complete control over all inputs and outputs of the AI app. The AI Playground app could help introduce Intel's AI features to more users, especially as it's easy to install and does not require a subscription. This is an important move for Intel and the AI chip makers in general, especially as most consumers still do not see the utility of AI in their everyday tasks. In fact, reports say that the majority of AI PC sales are driven by the need to upgrade/replace existing systems, not because of AI. Furthermore, the AI Playground could one-up Microsoft's Copilot+ PC features because of its local capabilities. For example, one of its most exciting features, Paint Cocreator, requires an internet connection, while its controversial Recall feature is a security nightmare. Hopefully, AI Playground would make Intel's AI features more accessible to the average user. Otherwise, all that AI hullabaloo would've essentially been all for nothing for the consumer, at least at this early stage.

Intel Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake" CPUs Now Supported In AI Playground App With Brand New Features

Press Release: This summer, we launched AI Playground, a user-friendly AI starter app with a range of AI functions designed to simplify AI on Intel AI PCs (more). Today, we're excited to announce that AI Playground is now available for our newest line of Intel Core Ultra 200V series processors, featuring added functionality and features for an even easier AI experience on Intel AI PCs. AI Playground will run on systems with an Intel Core Ultra PC with a built-in Intel Arc GPU or an Intel Arc Graphics discrete card with 8GB of memory We've improved AI Playground by adding extra features for the new version, specifically designed for PCs equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra 200V series processors. Intel's AI Playground v1.21b includes all the core features of AI Playground, designed to make a variety of AI features accessible and intuitive for your AI PC. AI Playground has the following features: