About LanJAM

What is LanJAM?

Think of LanJAM as your family's own private AI assistant. It runs entirely on your home network — no cloud accounts, no subscriptions, no data leaving your house. Every family member gets their own account, and all conversations stay completely private.

LanJAM uses open-source AI models (via Ollama) that run directly on a computer in your home. You chat through your web browser — there's nothing to install on phones, tablets, or laptops. Just open the address and start talking.

I created LanJAM because I wanted my children to be able to explore and play with AI in a safe environment — one where they could learn how to use it without sharing their data, and with sensible boundaries around the content they receive.

I initially experimented with Open WebUI, which is a powerful and flexible tool for running local AI models. While it's excellent for technical users, it didn't feel especially accessible or family-friendly — particularly for younger children. I wanted something simpler: an experience designed from the start for a young or non-technical audience.

So LanJAM started as a focused side project — built in the evenings and at weekends. What began as a quick experiment tailored to our family's needs turned into a surprisingly solid foundation. Once the basic chat was working, I was able to extend it with features I felt were missing from other tools.

Every decision has been made with simplicity and safety in mind. I've deliberately avoided unnecessary AI terminology and kept the experience as approachable as possible. If my kids can pick it up and start chatting without asking for help, it's working as intended.

Why families choose LanJAM

AI is an incredible tool for learning, creativity, and curiosity. But most AI services require sending your conversations to the cloud, where they may be stored, analysed, or used for training. For families — especially those with children — this raises real concerns about privacy and content safety.