Two years ago, we launched our first AI Assistant for Craft. It was powered by OpenAIâs cloud-based models, offering powerful text generation and reasoning capabilities. We were one of the first productivity tools to add GPT-3, but it required an internet connection. Since then, weâve watched AI evolve rapidly and weâve listened to our communityâs desire for both privacy and speed, without always needing a connection to the internet.
At the end of last year we took our first step in the direction of on device AI by enabling Apple Writting tools and image playground features. Today, weâre taking a step forward by adding the smallest DeepSeek R1 1.5B model into our AI Assistant. R1 is an open-source Large Language Model (LLM) that you can install locally and run in Craft .
By default, the DeepSeek model is not installed in Craft. If you choose to download and enable R1, your data stays on your device. This makes it perfect for those everyday tasks where convenience matter most â like taking quick notes, organizing to-dos, or summarizing shorter pieces of text. It also allows you to use basic reasoning capabilities without an internet connection.
On device AI models work a little bit like electric cars. They deliver instant acceleration, donât require regular stops at the gas station, and they are ideal for shorter commutes. For longer journeys across varied terrain, however, a traditional gas-powered engine may still be more reliable. Interestingly, some of the most high-performance cars in the world are hybrids â combining electric motors with gas engines for the best of both worlds.
We believe AI follows a similar path. On-device models like the smaller R1âs or Apple Intelligence can handle quick, day-to-day tasks, while advanced, cloud-based models like ChatGPT are still best for heavy lifting and deep reasoning. Our vision is to offer both, letting you pick and seamlessly transition between âenginesâ within Craftâs AI Assistant.
From the beginning, our mission has been to create a flexible, offline-first space that puts you in control. Our integration with DeepSeek R1 is an early but important experiment, pointing to a future where our devices become increasingly intelligent. While we keep working to ensure that Craft remains the flexible, fast, and private home for all your best ideas.
Let us know what you think and don't worry, #tags are still coming.
Balint
