Over the years, Linux has emerged as the world’s most popular operating system, thanks to its open-source nature. This has enabled a global community of developers to contribute to its development, enhancing its stability, security, and flexibility across various applications, from servers to embedded systems.
Just as Linux transformed the landscape of traditional operating systems, the advent of AI is poised to revolutionise how operating systems function.
A recently published research paper, ‘AI-Based OS: Future of Operating System’, explained how AI can be integrated into operating systems to enhance their capabilities beyond traditional software and hardware management.
This shift towards AI-driven operating systems mirrors the early days of Linux, where a new paradigm in computing began to take shape.
Recently, Andrej Karpathy mentioned how AI Kernel can replace the current operating systems.
The Current Progress
To have a Linux moment in AI, we need an open ecosystem of software and hardware support for AI operating systems. This was the key reason why Linux became a major hit.
Like we have different Linux distributions, there are different AI operating systems to cater to different problems.
The learning directed operating system (LDOS) aims to revolutionise traditional operating systems by integrating advanced machine learning techniques. LDOS automates labour-intensive tasks involved in OS implementation and tuning, making systems more “self-driving”.
LDOS enables the development and deployment of innovative real-time applications with complex resource needs. For instance, autonomous service robots can run third-party apps to extend their functionality, and real-time 6G mobile access edges can support advanced applications in smart cities and factories.
Similarly, BlackSwan Technologies has unveiled what it claims to be the world’s first enterprise AI operating system, ELEMENT, featuring a low-code/no-code, cloud-agnostic system.
This system allows users to build enterprise applications up to 60 times faster and at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional methods.
ELEMENT is designed to continuously learn and evolve with the enterprise, offering a customisable structure with a drag-and-drop interface.
Apart from revolutionising industries, AI-based operating systems are also coming to compete with proprietary solutions like Google Home and Amazon Echo with OpenVoiceOS.
As the name suggests, OpenVoiceOS is an open-source voice AI platform project designed with a strong focus on privacy. It allows users to control their data and operate the platform fully offline, if desired.
As Linux is a Kernel, and not an operating system, LLMOS aims to use LLM as a Kernel for tasks like process scheduling, memory management, and user interaction.
Karpathy has also said, “A more complete picture is emerging of LLMs not as a chatbot, but the Kernel process of a new operating system.”
In LLMOS, AI agents function as applications, performing specific tasks and interacting with the LLM Kernel to provide services to the user.
The best part is it is not limited to a specific LLM but you can choose from a variety of LLMs to craft an operating system as per your liking.
On LLMOS, user prompts and instructions serve as the user interface, allowing natural language interaction between the user and the system and making the OS more intuitive and accessible.
LLMOS is also open source, which means any software developer can take code and build their own solution around it, which is similar to how Linux became the most popular operating system in the world.
Linux and AI OS Face Similar Problems
Linux is known to work on almost every computer but struggles with peripheral compatibility. The same goes for AI OS. To run AI as a Kernel, you need to have strong hardware with a decent GPU.
Furthermore, using AI as an operating system has yet to become mainstream, which means we have no idea how hardware companies will provide optimal hardware.
Apart from compatibility issues, Linux is known for its lack of software, which is one of the major reasons why Linux only has a 4% desktop market share. Apparently, we are yet to have a clear understanding of what kind of software/apps will be available and how AI OS will interact with them.
Another problem is complexity. Both Linux and AI OS are highly technical pieces of software, and a normal user may not be able to configure it from scratch. So, how manufacturers and software developers create a perfect package matters the most.
This means, we need a strong collaboration between hardware manufacturers and software developers. Besides, the package should overall be user friendly. That’s how we can achieve a Linux moment in AI.
