Computers are about to get a lot more AI, with all that entails.

Linux is now easy enough to use for anyone.

It can be more private and will run on the computer you have now.

Linux is now a totally practical OS for anyone. Ubuntu

AI is coming to your computer whether you like it or not—but what can you do about it?

Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs are so jam-packed with AI that it's even in the name. We expect Apple to add lots of new AI features in iOS 18 and macOS 15 at next month's WWDC, and Google is, well, Google. But what if you just don't want AI on your computer? What if you care about AI's environmental impact, privacy holes, and the ethical problems of training on data without the creators' permission? The answer might be to switch to Linux. Yes, Linux.

"As someone who has worked extensively in tech and cybersecurity, I can tell you that Linux is indeed a viable alternative for those who wish to avoid AI integrations found in mainstream operating systems like macOS and Windows," Reade Taylor, ex-IBM Internet Security Systems engineer and founder of cybersecurity company Cyber Command, told Lifewire via email.

Out of Control

As they add more features, we have less and less control over our computers. Dropbox, iCloud, Copilot, and all of Apple's Continuity features rely on the cloud, sending data back and forth. AI is already firmly embedded into our computers, powering text autocorrect, recognizing our friends and family in the pictures we add to our photo libraries, and so on.

This is what people think Linux looks like. Luca Bravo / Unsplash

These features are amazing and so convenient. But they have a price. Do you remember when you could put your Mac to sleep, and when you woke it up a few days later, the battery would barely have dropped? Not now, because your computer never really sleeps anymore. And, of course, there are the privacy concerns of having your computer in constant contact with the platform owner—Microsoft, Google, and Apple.

And now it looks like the AI hype train is really careening across every aspect of our computing lives. I'm concerned about the runaway energy use and the dragnet trawling of training data with no regard for the wishes of its creators. Also, the next generation of PCs is packing in extra silicon just to process AI on-device. Finally, we got to a place where computers are more than fast enough, can last all day on a charge, and do it all without a fan, and we want to ruin all that?

The Year of Linux on the Desktop

The answer to this has long been Linux, an open-source operating system that can be as private and locked down as you want it. The problem is that it hasn't ever been particularly user-friendly. Historically, just installing a new app required opening up a terminal window—those white-on-black text windows that hackers use in the movies—and tapping in arcane commands.

But in recent years, a lot has changed. It's possible to buy computers with Linux already installed, but even better, it's easy to install it on the computer you currently own. In fact, you can try it out without erasing a single thing about your existing setup.

And this is what Linux really looks like. Starfighter

App installation is also way easier, with app-store-like repositories that let you add apps with one click. And you'll find all the apps you need, like Slack, ready and waiting. If not, there are alternatives.

"Switching to Linux means you might have to say goodbye to certain proprietary software and games. Applications like Adobe Creative Suite or some specialized professional tools don't have native Linux versions, and while there are alternatives, they might not meet everyone's needs," ACCURL CEO and tech expert Cameron Lee told Lifewire via email.

So what is Linux exactly? It's just another operating system, like macOS or Windows, only it comes in many more 'flavors,' or combinations of apps and desktop environments. It's much less demanding on hardware than macOS and Windows, and so it's perfect for resurrecting older computers.

You'll have to get used to a new way of doing things, like switching from Windows to the Mac, but it will mostly be familiar with folders, menus, and so on. Some versions are designed specifically to be easy to use for people switching from other OSes.

"A user-friendly distribution like Ubuntu can be an excellent choice for individuals wary of privacy and ethical issues surrounding AI," says Taylor. "It provides a robust and user-friendly environment that minimizes the tracking and data collection you’d typically encounter with macOS or Windows."

Ubuntu and other 'distros' usually come with a suite of applications, a web browser, alternatives to Microsoft Office, email apps, and so on. You will be able to get up and running in no time.

Linux might still not be for everyone, but it is now for anyone. Anyone who wants more control over their computing life or just wants to keep using their old computer instead of being caught on an upgrade cycle now powered by the needs of AI. Take a look. You might like it.