Run AI Locally Without OpenAI API · April 26

How to Run AI Locally Without the OpenAI API — Zero Cost, Full Privacy

The OpenAI API charges per token and sends your data to OpenAI's servers. Docker Model Runner lets you run powerful open weight models locally with no API key, no per-token cost, and no data leaving your machine. This workshop shows you how to build a complete AI assistant this way.

Sunday, April 26   9am to 1pm EDT
4 Hours   Hands-on coding
Live Online   Interactive
Register Now → See what you will build ↓

Workshop Details

📅
Date and Time
Sunday, April 26, 2026
9:00am to 1:00pm EDT
⏱
Duration
4 Hours · Hands-on
💻
Format
Live Online · Interactive
🎓
Includes
Certificate of Completion
🔒
Privacy
100% Local · No Cloud Required
Register on Eventbrite →

By Packt Publishing · Refunds up to 10 days before

✦ OpenClaw — 200K+ GitHub Stars
✦ 4 Hours Live Hands-On Coding
✦ By Packt Publishing
✦ No Cloud Dependency Required
✦ Certificate of Completion
Why Trust Packt

Over 20 Years of Helping Developers Build Real Skills

7,500+
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200K+
GitHub stars for OpenClaw — the tool you will master
100%
Hands-on — every session involves real code and live building
About This Workshop

Why Running AI Locally Without the OpenAI API Makes Sense in 2026

In 2026, open weight models have reached a quality level where running AI locally without the OpenAI API is a practical choice for most use cases. The tools — Docker Model Runner and OpenClaw — make this easier than ever. This workshop shows you how.

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What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is the open-source personal AI assistant that went viral in early 2026 with 200K+ GitHub stars. It runs on your own devices and connects to WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack and more. No subscription. No data leaving your machine.

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What is Docker Model Runner?

Docker Model Runner is Docker's native feature for running large language models locally on your machine. It gives you an OpenAI-compatible API that OpenClaw uses as its AI brain — complete data privacy, no cloud costs.

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Why Combine OpenClaw and Docker?

OpenClaw gives you the assistant interface and messaging integrations. Docker Model Runner gives you the AI brain running privately on your machine. Together they create a production grade private AI assistant you fully own.

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Why Attend as a Live Workshop?

Setting this up from scattered documentation takes days of debugging. This live workshop gives you a complete guided build in 4 hours with a live instructor answering your questions. Packt has delivered 108 workshops worldwide.

Workshop Curriculum

How to Run AI Locally Without the OpenAI API — Step by Step

Six modules covering the complete setup from local AI to a deployed private assistant.

01

How OpenClaw Works

Understand the Gateway, channels, and skills architecture. Set up and configure OpenClaw locally from scratch.

02

Docker Model Runner Setup

Run and manage local LLMs using Docker Model Runner. Pull models, configure memory, and understand the OpenAI-compatible API.

03

Security and Privacy

Configure DM pairing, allowlists, sandbox mode, and proper access controls for your local AI deployment.

04

Connect to WhatsApp or Telegram

Deploy your AI assistant to real messaging platforms without sending data to any third party cloud service.

05

Scalable Architecture

Design an extensible assistant architecture. Add skills, configure personality, and set up proactive automation.

06

Production Deployment

Deploy your OpenClaw and Docker setup to a VPS for always-on availability running 24 hours a day.

What You Walk Away With

By the End of This Workshop You Will Have

AI running locally on your machine with zero OpenAI API dependency.

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A fully functional local AI assistant running on your machine

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Docker Model Runner configured with your chosen LLM model

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OpenClaw connected to WhatsApp or Telegram

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Security and privacy configuration you can trust

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A reusable architecture for future AI assistant projects

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Certificate of completion from Packt Publishing

Your Instructor

Learn Local AI Without OpenAI From a Docker Captain

Rami Krispin deploys local AI systems in production without any OpenAI API dependency.

Rami Krispin

Rami Krispin

Workshop Instructor · April 26, 2026

Rami is a Senior Manager of Data Science and Engineering, Docker Captain, and LinkedIn Learning Instructor with deep expertise in building and deploying production AI systems. He guides you step by step from a blank terminal to a fully deployed private AI assistant — answering your questions live throughout the 4-hour session.

Prerequisites

Who Is This Workshop For?

Developers who want to run capable AI locally without paying for the OpenAI API.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About Running AI Locally Without the OpenAI API

Everything you need to know about local AI inference without OpenAI.

What do I use instead of the OpenAI API to run AI locally? +

Instead of the OpenAI API, this workshop uses Docker Model Runner — Docker's native feature for running open weight LLMs locally. Docker Model Runner exposes an OpenAI-compatible API endpoint on your local machine, so OpenClaw and other applications can connect to it just as they would connect to the OpenAI API — but with zero cost and complete privacy.

Are local models good enough to replace the OpenAI API for my use case? +

For most personal assistant and development use cases, modern open weight models running through Docker Model Runner are excellent alternatives to the OpenAI API. The instructor helps you evaluate specific models for your use case during the live session. Models like Llama 3, Mistral 7B, and Phi-3 cover a wide range of tasks effectively.

How much does it cost to run AI locally without the OpenAI API? +

Zero. Docker Model Runner is free. The open weight models are free. There are no per-token charges, no monthly subscriptions, and no usage limits. The only cost is the electricity to run your machine and optionally a VPS if you want always-on availability.

Does running AI locally without the OpenAI API require a fast internet connection? +

No. Running AI locally through Docker Model Runner requires no internet connection for inference. Your AI model runs entirely on your own hardware. Internet is only needed for initial model downloads and for messaging platform integrations like WhatsApp and Telegram.

Can I switch between local AI and the OpenAI API in my OpenClaw setup? +

Yes. Because Docker Model Runner uses an OpenAI-compatible API, you can configure OpenClaw to point to either your local Docker Model Runner endpoint or the actual OpenAI API endpoint. This gives you flexibility to use local AI for most tasks and switch to OpenAI's API for specific cases if needed.

Is the local OpenAI-compatible API from Docker Model Runner fully compatible? +

Docker Model Runner's local API is compatible with the core OpenAI chat completions API that OpenClaw uses. The instructor covers the compatibility details and any limitations during the live workshop. For the purposes of powering an OpenClaw personal AI assistant, the compatibility is complete.

Run AI Locally Without OpenAI API · April 26, 2026

Ready to Run AI Locally Without the OpenAI API?

4 hours. Live instructor. Local AI with zero OpenAI dependency by the end. Seats are limited.

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Sunday April 26 · 9am to 1pm EDT · Online · Packt Publishing