Ollama – what is it?

Ollama is a tool for running and managing large language models locally on private infrastructure without relying on external cloud services. It enables downloading, deploying, and executing models through a simple command-line interface or API, providing full control over data and the execution environment. Ollama supports optimized model variants (e.g., quantized models), allowing them to run even on limited resources, including local servers and workstations.

In practical scenarios, Ollama is used to build private AI services, prototype applications, test models, and deploy isolated data processing environments. The tool integrates with other components of the AI stack, such as RAG systems, agents, and API gateways, providing flexibility in model selection and configuration. By enabling local execution, Ollama reduces dependency on external providers, lowers latency, and ensures compliance with security and privacy requirements in enterprise environments.