Ollama, the popular local AI model runner, is making waves with its new multimodal engine. The project is stepping away from being just a wrapper around llama.cpp, signaling a more independent approach to AI model support.

Online commentators have been buzzing about the move, with mixed reactions ranging from excitement about improved user experience to skepticism about the project's motivations. Some see it as a Docker-like transformation for AI models - simplifying a complex technological landscape.

The new engine aims to make multimodal models more accessible, allowing easier integration of text, vision, and potentially other input types. This comes at a time when the AI community is pushing towards more context-rich, integrated experiences that go beyond pure text interactions.

However, the tech community remains divided. Some developers appreciate Ollama's user-friendly approach, while others worry about potential monetization strategies and lack of upstream contributions to open-source projects.

The key takeaway is that Ollama is positioning itself as more than just a convenient wrapper, actively developing its own model support and pushing the boundaries of local AI accessibility.