Local vs cloud AI companions: the trade-offs that matter

Cloud can simplify hardware

Remote inference can work on weak client PCs because the expensive part runs elsewhere.

Local reduces a dependency

When the private model runs locally, conversation availability is less dependent on a remote inference service.

The cost moves

Cloud shifts compute cost to the provider. Local shifts much of that compute requirement to the customer's machine.

Hybrid can be honest

A product can keep the intimate core local while still using web services for licensing, downloads and commerce. The important thing is to say which part is which.