Jack Wallen/ZDNETZDNET key takeaways
- Linux-AI OS is an Ubuntu-based distro with a dash of AI.
- Although it’s a 1.0 release, Linux-AI OS shows promise.
- It includes locally installed AI (Ollama) that’s ready out of the box.
When you think of Linux, AI probably doesn’t come to mind. Some distributions have even taken a hard stance against AI playing any role in the OS. For example, the maintainer of Void Linux orphaned over 100 packages due to their use of AI, which breaks the distribution’s AI policy.
But some distributions have embraced AI. In some cases, it’s usually just the inclusion of an AI chatbot, whereas in others (such as Shadowfetch), AI plays a much more important role.
And then there’s Linux-AI OS.
Also: The 6 AI-free Linux distros I recommend most – and why they’re likely to stay that way
Given the name, you’d assume that this distribution would have AI deeply embedded into every system, service, and app. In this case, that’s sort of the reality…sort of.
The tagline for Linux-AI OS is “A powerful, beautiful, privacy-focused Linux operating system built for the future — combining the freedom of open source with intelligent desktop tools.”
What tools, you ask? Linux-AI OS adds AI to the App Installer, Backup & Restore, Control Center, System Optimizer, and the Welcome Wizard. Throw in a standard (but local) AI chatbot, and Linux-AI OS has the makings of a distribution that could be ideal for those new to Linux.
But does it work?
That’s the big question, right? Did the developer add AI into the mix as a gimmick, or was it so intentionally designed that it makes perfect sense? Let’s examine some of the bits and pieces where the developer has injected AI.
- Welcome Wizard – helps new users set up their desktop style, voice feedback, privacy defaults, and recommended apps.
- AI App Installer – AI curates Linux software based on purpose, so users can install apps from AI-curated collections instead of having to locate them one at a time.
- Backup & Restore Center – AI helps create snapshots and personal file backups, restores data, schedules backups, and offers emergency recovery guidance.
- AI System Optimizer – AI assists in the analysis, cleaning, repairing, and improving of system performance.
I asked the founder of Linux-AI OS, Kevin Richards, about his primary goals with the distribution, to which he replied:
One of the primary goals behind Linux-AI OS is to make the transition to Linux less intimidating for people who may be coming from Windows or who have very little Linux experience. Experienced Linux users may be perfectly comfortable opening a terminal and typing commands such as uptime, df -h, free -h, and many others. A new Linux user, however, may not know those commands exist, what they do, or even where to begin.
The Control Center
Jack Wallen/ZDNETIf there were a heart and soul of Linux-AI OS, it would be the control center. This app, which can be launched from the desktop icon of the same name, or the desktop menu, is where new users should start.
The Control Center contains access to a vast array of tools that allow you to access, configure, or use such things as the AI assistant, the AI app installer, the Backup & Restore Center, the firewall, quick Linux-AI tips, and so much more.
In many cases, within the Control Center, the clickable button simply opens up the app in question (such as System Settings, the File Manager, or the Terminal). In other cases, the clickable button opens a Linux-AI OS-specific app to do a certain task (such as the Backup & Restore Center – more on this in a bit).
I see the Control Center as System Settings on steroids. Don’t think of it as a System Settings app that is driven by AI, because the majority of tools found in the Control Center are not linked to AI in any way.
Also: 7 things every Linux beginner should know before downloading their first distro
Thanks to this tool, those who are new to the distribution won’t feel immediately lost. Don’t be mistaken; the Control Center and the Welcome Wizard are two different things. Whereas the Control Center gives you access to the apps I mentioned above, the Welcome Wizard is where you can set your initial desktop style, the AI voice settings, privacy mode, and recommended apps. Yes, there is some overlap, but once you’ve gone through the Welcome Wizard, you’ll probably find no need to use it again.
The Control Center, on the other hand, you’ll use repeatedly.
The first tool I tested from within the Control Center was the System Optimizer. Open that tool, and you’re greeted with 7 options: Check System Health, Check Updates, SSD Trim Status, Memory Status, Free Disk Space, Repair Packages, and Startup Time.
Jack Wallen/ZDNETI clicked on Startup Time to see what the tool would do, and found that it used systemd-analyze to tell me how long it takes to boot the system. It didn’t optimize the booting of the system; it was just informative.
Next, I ran the Package Repair option, which prints out the necessary package repair commands for me. I would then have to open a terminal, copy/paste the command, and run it. I did just that, and it found zero issues.
I also asked Richards about this feature, and his reply was enlightening:
Rather than requiring a newcomer to immediately learn the terminal, commands, package management, and the many different ways Linux can be configured, we provide convenient graphical access to many of those capabilities. As users become more comfortable with Linux-AI OS, they can gradually learn the traditional Linux methods underneath it. We are not trying to hide Linux—we are trying to make the first steps into Linux easier.
The SSD Trim Status couldn’t read all systemctl journal files due to insufficient permissions. I opened a terminal, ran the suggested command with sudo, and received the full output.
Also: I used OpenFactory to build my own Linux distro overnight
It turns out the Linux-AI System Optimizer tries to perform specific tasks but fails due to insufficient permissions. In other cases, it simply prints the output of commands and doesn’t actually change anything.
The Linux-AI App Installer does exactly what it says it will: it uses AI to curate apps by purpose. For example, it lists Office & Productivity and includes apps like LibreOffice, Text Editor, PDF Viewer, and Planner.
Unfortunately, those are the only apps it lists. It would be nice if the Office & Productivity collection included more related tools. In fact, that’s the case with every category. You get four to six suggestions, and that’s it. I can open Pop!_OS’s COSMIC Store and see considerably more curated apps per category.
Richards also had something to say about the App Installer that I think is important:
The Linux-AI App Installer follows much the same philosophy. The curated categories are deliberately useful even without AI. A newcomer shouldn’t necessarily have to know the exact name of an application before they can find useful software. AI can eventually make that experience much more conversational. Instead of searching for a particular package, a user might say something like, “I need something for editing family videos, what can I use instead of Microsoft Office?” or “I want to edit RAW photographs.” The AI could then explain the available Linux applications, recommend appropriate choices from the curated catalog, explain the differences, and help the user install what they choose.
Jack Wallen/ZDNETNow, the Backup & Restore AI tool is a horse of a different color. This is where Linux-AI OS impressed me. I was able to create a backup of personal files with a single click. The same thing held true for a full system snapshot. The only difference is that with the system snapshot, I did have to answer some questions.
Also: Want a free Photoshop alternative on Linux? How to get Affinity today: 2 ways
Jack Wallen/ZDNETClick Enable Auto Backup at Login, click Enable, and then click OK. Now, every time you log in, your personal files are backed up. You can also schedule those backups.
Here’s the thing about all of these tools: I can’t find a way to verify if they are actually using AI. I have reached out to the developer about this and will update this story when I get a response. However, the fact that you get all of them combined means keeping tabs on various aspects of Linux that might otherwise be hard for a new user accessible. In my eyes, that’s a big plus.
AI Assistant is where the AI meets the road
Next, I looked at the AI Assistant. I was glad to see that it used locally installed AI (Ollama) and was ready to go out of the box. That means someone new to Linux won’t have to bother with installing Ollama, downloading a model, and connecting the GUI app. It’s all done for you.
Jack Wallen/ZDNETAny Linux distribution that includes an AI assistant should follow this example. In fact, I firmly believe that any Linux distribution that includes an AI assistant should default to locally installed AI and have it configured out of the box. That should be a no-brainer.
From within the AI Assistant, you can also click things like Upgrade System, and the upgrade will happen (you just have to type your password when prompted), so even the AI Assistant with Linux-AI OS feels kind of special.
Beyond AI
If Linux-AI OS were to be stripped of all AI, what would it be like? Essentially, it would be an Ubuntu-based distribution with the Cinnamon desktop configured such that you can change it to resemble other desktops… and a nice Star Trek: TNG wallpaper.
Also: How to try out over 85 Linux distros, no installation required – with DistroSea
That’s not a bad thing, and when you add the AI elements, Linux-AI OS does stand out. The problem I have with Linux-AI OS is that of perception. Based on the name, you would think that there would be considerably more customized AI tools handling tasks like automatically optimizing the system for you. Still, not having to go through the steps of installing Ollama, downloading a model, and connecting the model is a big plus.
So, if you want a Linux distribution that includes locally installed AI and is likely to add new AI features in the future, Linux-AI OS is a great option.
Finally, I asked Kevin Richards about his long-term goal with Linux-AI OS. Here’s what he had to say:
My long-term vision is therefore not to put an “AI” label on every button. It is to combine the reliability and flexibility of traditional Linux with an intelligent assistance layer that makes Linux easier to discover, understand, configure, and use. Linux has always offered tremendous power and choice, but that choice can also be overwhelming to someone encountering it for the first time. Linux-AI OS was designed especially with those newcomers in mind. We want someone to be able to start using Linux without first becoming a Linux expert—and then, as their confidence grows, discover that all of the traditional tools, commands, and different ways of navigating Linux are still there for them to learn.
I look forward to seeing how Linux-AI OS evolves, and I am glad I took the time with the first public release.
If you’re interested in giving Linux-AI OS a try, download an ISO, create a bootable USB drive, and install it on a spare machine. Or, just download the ISO and use it to create a virtual machine.
