A solution in search of a problem? Intel debuts AI app that runs locally on its most recent CPUs - but will it convince users of the benefits of end-user AI?

Intel AI Playground
(Image credit: Intel)

Intel has updated its AI Playground app, initially launched in July 2024, to showcase the capabilities of running AI tasks on its latest Intel Core Ultra 200V (Lunar Lake) series processors.

Designed to run AI entirely on compatible systems, the app harnesses the chip maker's built-in AI accelerators and Arc GPUs.

Available as a free download, AI Playground is optimized for Intel Core Ultra PCs with integrated Intel Arc GPUs or discrete Intel Arc Graphics cards featuring 8GB of memory. The latest version includes installers for the Intel Core Ultra 200V (1.21b) and Ultra-H series (1.01b), as well as Intel Arc dGPUs.

New features

For many Windows 11 users, Microsoft Copilot will be their primary - maybe only - AI experience, but privacy concerns have emerged over its controversial Recall feature and potential data sharing.

AI Playground keeps all processing on the device itself, offering a more private and secure alternative for users wary of cloud-based AI.

The app is designed to help users explore and understand the benefits of AI and Tom’s Hardware likens it to how Microsoft added Solitaire to early versions of Windows to help users get accustomed to the mouse. Whether there's a need for such an app boils down to whether Intel can demonstrate real-world value beyond just showcasing its technology and the jury is out on that at the moment.

The app’s primary modes - Create, Enhance, and Answer - offer a number of tools. Create mode generates images from text prompts using SD1.5 or SDXL models, while Enhance mode supports upscaling, inpainting, and outpainting for complex image edits. Answer mode functions as a local chatbot that can process documents and answer queries, all while keeping data private by operating entirely on the user’s device.

The new update introduces features tailored for Ultra 200V processors, such as an exclusive theme and an improved LLM Picker preloaded with models like Phi3, Qwen2, and Mistral.

Users can install their own native PyTorch LLMs too, so long as they are compatible with Transformer version 4.39. The new version also includes a Conversation Manager for saving chat sessions, a font size adjustment tool, and a preset aspect ratio picker to streamline image creation.

To find out more about the AI Playground project you can go to its page on GitHub, or join the Intel Insiders Discord.

More from TechRadar Pro

TOPICS
Wayne Williams
Editor

Wayne Williams is a freelancer writing news for TechRadar Pro. He has been writing about computers, technology, and the web for 30 years. In that time he wrote for most of the UK’s PC magazines, and launched, edited and published a number of them too.

Read more
Terminator
Self-healing AI PCs with smart agents are coming, and no, please don't call them Skynet
A hand reaching out to touch a futuristic rendering of an AI processor.
This new digital marketing tool can generate an entire marketing campaign with just a few prompts
A person's hand using DeepSeek on their mobile phone
In surprise move Microsoft announces DeepSeek R1 is coming to CoPilot+ PCs – here’s how to get it
The socket interface of the Intel Core Ultra processor
Intel unveils its most powerful AI PCs yet - new Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors pack in vPro for lightweight laptops and high-performance workstations alike
A collage of three Nvidia powered Windows laptops.
From video production to image generation, these AI PCs upgrade your content creation
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series image
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs supercharge generative AI on your PC
Latest in Pro
Google DeepMind panel discussion
“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling projects, and startup investments
European Union technical background
EU tech companies push for digital sovereignty, reducing reliance on US and others
ransomware avast
One of the most powerful ransomware hacks around has been cracked using some serious GPU power
person at a computer
Infamous ransomware hackers reveal new tool to brute-force VPNs
3D version of the Adobe logo
Adobe Summit 2025 - all the news and updates as it happens
A person typing on a laptop to check battery life
How Google's new anti-scraping measures are forcing an industry evolution
Latest in News
Google DeepMind panel discussion
“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling projects, and startup investments
An image of the Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 could have AI upscaling similar to PS5 Pro’s PSSR according to patent, and it could be a gamechanger for graphics on the upcoming console
PowerColor Red Devil AMD RX 9070 XT graphics card shown side-on
Your next GPU could be from AMD, not Nvidia, if Team Red’s success with PC gamers continues
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, March 18 (game #1149)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, March 18 (game #380)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, March 18 (game #646)