Build Your Own Local AI Assistant

Build Your Own Local AI Assistant: Event Format: Type: Hands-on Workshop Mode: Online Date: 26 September 2026 Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM About the Workshop: Artificial Intelligence is moving beyond simply interacting with chatbots. This hands-on workshop introduces participants to the building blocks of practical AI systems — from running local Large Language Models (LLMs) to connecting tools, grounding AI with personal knowledge, creating multi-step workflows, and building grounded AI agents. Participants will follow a practical learning journey: Local LLM → Tools → Knowledge → Workflows → Grounded Agents What You Will Learn: Run AI Models Locally: Introduction to local LLMs Running AI models using Ollama Understanding the basics of local AI inference Build Practical AI Tools: Using Python to interact with AI models Connecting LLMs with tools and functions Understanding tool-enabled AI systems Build a Personal Knowledge Assistant: Introduction to Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) Working with documents and embeddings Using vector stores such as FAISS / Chroma Building a simple Mini-RAG application Build Multi-Step AI Workflows: Understanding AI workflow orchestration Building sequential and multi-step workflows Introduction to LangGraph, CrewAI and n8n Build Grounded AI Agents: Combining LLMs, tools, knowledge and workflows Understanding grounded and tool-using AI agents Designing practical AI system architectures Hands-on Component: The workshop is designed around practical implementation. Participants will be guided through building components of a local AI assistant, rather than only learning concepts through demonstrations. Laptop recommended for hands-on participation. A certificate will be provided to participants. Eligibility: Open to Students, faculty members, research scholars, and industry professionals Participants from different academic disciplines and specializations are welcome. No prior experience with AI agents is required. Basic familiarity with Python and AI/ML concepts will be helpful. Speaker / Resource Person: Mr. R. RuthurarajAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringSNS College of Technology Key Technologies: Ollama, Python, FAISS, Chroma, LangGraph, CrewAI, n8n