Run your own AI locally - using Microsoft Foundry

Microsoft Foundry is a platform that makes it easier to discover, run, and experiment with AI models. In this hands-on session, we'll show you how to run a small AI model locally on your own machine, giving you more control over how and where your AI works.

What you'll get from this session

• Learn how to run AI on your own laptop
• Set up and test a small language model step by step
• Understand when local AI makes sense vs cloud AI
• Leave with something working

✨Further details:

Throughout the evening you'll:

- Install Microsoft Foundry Local on your laptop
- Download and run a small AI model on your own device
- Chat with the model and explore what it can and can't do
- Learn the difference between local AI and cloud AI services like ChatGPT and Copilot
- Build a simple AI agent that can read and categorise documents
- Experiment with changing instructions to make the agent perform different tasks
- See how local AI can be used to process sensitive information without sending data to the cloud
- Leave with working examples you can continue to build on at home

Who is this for?

This session is designed for beginners through to experienced builders. You don't need to be a developer, but you should be comfortable following step-by-step instructions on your computer.

What you'll learn

Rather than just talking about AI, you'll get hands-on experience with:

• Running AI locally
• Understanding how AI models work
• Building simple AI agents
• Using prompts and instructions effectively
• Knowing when local AI is a better choice than cloud AI
• Turning AI from a chatbot into a practical tool for real work

What you'll leave with

By the end of the session, you'll have:

• An AI model running on your own machine
• A working AI-powered document sorting tool
• The knowledge to start building your own local AI projects
• A clearer understanding of how businesses can use AI securely and privately