In a turn of events that has surprised many, the world’s first off-grid large language model powered entirely by renewable energy has been launched by a group of independent Amish engineers from Lancaster County. Called PlainSpeak AI, its creators, inspired by their values of self-sufficiency and stewardship, sought to build a tool that aligns with the principles of hard work, community and careful use of resources. Unlike other AI models, which depend on huge data centers and round-the-clock internet connectivity, PlainSpeak AI operates using a decentralized network of locally powered servers.
“This is about using technology wisely, not being ruled by it,” project co-founder Jacob Lapp said. “With PlainSpeak AI, people can access AI without worrying about constant surveillance, wasteful energy consumption, or the distractions of modern digital life.”
The first PlainSpeak AI processing plant has been quietly set up a twenty minutes drive from Lancaster City near a small town called Elizabethtown, where it runs on a combination of solar panels and a nearby water-powered mill. The facility, which resembles a traditional barn on the outside, houses state-of-the-art AI servers cooled by natural ventilation as opposed to energy-intensive cooling systems. According to its developers, the goal of PlainSpeak is to integrate modern technology into rural life without disrupting the balance of nature, faith or community values.
Unlike its Silicon Valley counterparts, PlainSpeak AI does not rely on cloud connectivity or endless updates.
“It works just fine as it is,” Lapp stated. “If it ain’t broke, there’s no need to fix it, or worse, release a mandatory update that somehow makes it worse.”
To keep the AI’s data use in line with the community’s principles, PlainSpeak AI has been trained exclusively on a carefully curated dataset. Rather than scraping the internet, its knowledge base consists of local agricultural manuals, Pennsylvania Dutch proverbs, pre-1950s encyclopedias and handwritten letters exchanged between neighbors.
In keeping with its commitment to simplicity, PlainSpeak AI is available in exactly two languages: English and Pennsylvania Dutch, the traditional Amish dialect of German. Supporters praise this as a refreshing alternative to mainstream AI models that offer dozens of languages but still somehow fail to understand basic human questions.
“It’s about quality, not quantity,” Lapp explained. “Why offer 95 languages when most people only need one—or in our case, two?” When asked whether additional language options might be added in the future, developers were firm: “Unlikely.”
This ensures the model provides thoughtful, plainspoken answers without the influence of “unnecessary modern distractions” like social media trends, viral memes or cryptocurrency speculation.
“If you ask it about stock investments, it’ll probably tell you to buy more cows,” one early user said. “And frankly, In this economy, that might not be bad advice.”
One of the biggest draws of PlainSpeak AI is its commitment to privacy. Unlike mainstream AI models that harvest user data, PlainSpeak operates entirely locally, meaning conversations remain between the user and their machine.
“Big Tech wants to read your mind,” Lapp said. “We just want to help you organize your crop rotations.”
Rooted in the belief that any technology in the Amish community should serve a purpose without overwhelming daily life, PlainSpeak AI is designed for those who value practicality over excess. By eliminating the need for cloud connectivity, it offers privacy and keeps interactions truly local.
Unlike other AI models that let users endlessly tweak and regenerate responses, PlainSpeak AI follows a more decisive approach; one answer, take it or leave it. If you don’t like what it tells you, developers suggest “reflecting on it for a bit” before asking again.
“People today expect infinite options, but that’s not how life, or good advice, works,” Lapp said. “If you asked your grandfather for wisdom, would you demand he say it differently until you liked it? No. You’d nod, thank him, and get back to work.”
Many critics wonder if PlainSpeak AI can compete with Silicon Valley’s AI giants, but its creators are undeterred.
“It’s not about competing,” Lapp explained. “It’s about proving that technology can exist in a way that honors faith, simplicity, and stewardship. We don’t need endless upgrades or distractions, just a tool that works when it’s needed.”
Whether PlainSpeak AI remains a niche experiment or sparks a movement toward sustainable, values-driven AI, its message remains clear: the future of technology doesn’t have to be rushed, complicated or wasteful. Sometimes, a simple word is all that’s needed.
