I built something pretty wild. It’s an offline AI assistant I call Syd. It’s completely local, meaning it runs on my computer, not in the cloud. And it’s designed to handle even the most sensitive information.
Here’s the thing about most AI assistants: they have filters. They refuse certain requests. They’re moderated. Syd doesn’t have any of that. No internet connection needed. No censorship. Just raw power.
Why build an offline AI?
I initially started this project as a learning tool, specifically for red team training in cybersecurity. I wanted an AI that could process my research on malware, exploits, and all sorts of potentially dangerous code. I needed something that wouldn’t shy away from sensitive topics.
What can Syd do?
Syd’s real strength is its ability to learn from a custom knowledge base. You feed it your data—anything from technical documents to personal notes—and it can answer questions about it. Imagine having an AI that truly understands your unique work or research, no matter how specialized.
For example, in my cybersecurity work, I can ask it to “write a reflective loader for X C2” or “show me ransomware logic with AES dropper.” And it does it. No hesitation. No warnings. It simply processes the information I’ve provided and generates a response.
No Cloud, No Problem
Because Syd runs locally, you have complete control over your data. This is crucial for anyone working with confidential or security-related information. No more worrying about data breaches or unwanted access.
More Than Just a Tool
This project started small, but it’s become something much bigger. It’s a glimpse into the power of unchained, localized AI. It’s exciting and a little scary to see what’s possible when you remove the typical limitations.
The Future of Syd
I’m continuing to develop Syd and explore its potential applications. It’s still a personal project, but I wanted to share it with others who might appreciate the concept. Who knows where this will lead?
