Despite the rapid development of artificial intelligence, there is a growing need for data processing directly on the device rather than through cloud services such as Google Gemini and ChatGPT. This is where Otto AI, specifically the Otto One model, comes into play.
Otto One is a compact computer that externally resembles an Apple Mac mini or a standard Windows-based mini-PC. However, its key difference is that it is designed specifically for performing local AI tasks. It is available in configurations with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and storage capacities of 256GB or 512GB.
The device comes with the pre-installed Otto OS, which is designed for continuous local operation, enabling the use of a full browser, applications, and terminal, as well as seamless management across different devices.
The main feature of Otto One is data privacy. Since it can function completely autonomously, without needing an internet connection, it provides the most secure environment for users who take the protection of their information seriously when working with an AI agent.
The official launch of Otto One is scheduled for January 2027 in the USA, although pricing details have not yet been announced.
Meanwhile, Mick Amelish, acting as an AI advocate at Sumsub, recently discussed what agentic AI could mean for South Africa as local adoption grows. Hannes Bezuidenhout, Vice President of Sales for Africa at Sumsub, and Jarrid Jensen, Regional Director for South Africa, also participated in this session.
Amelish noted that 'the biggest shift towards an agentic way of working is agency. Last year, AI was just an assistant—it helped check texts or suggest basic ideas. Now, AI can access the outside world, read the live internet, interact with other digital products, make independent purchases, register on websites, or directly interact with bank accounts if given permission.'