The Network Institute at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has launched a new platform: Nebula. This platform makes it easy for researchers to use advanced language models (LLMs) without relying on commercial providers. In total, more than 1,500 open AI models are available, with six models already running, including Deepseek, Llama, and Qwen.
Why is this important?
AI models are typically hosted by large tech companies outside Europe, which means less control over data and potential privacy risks. Nebula is fully hosted within VU Amsterdam, allowing researchers to maintain full control over the models they use and their data. This ensures greater transparency and compliance with European regulations.
What can you do with it?
With Nebula, researchers can:
✅ Retrieve online information using AI models with integrated web search.
✅ Process scientific texts with support for Markdown & LaTeX.
✅ Build and customize AI models for specific research purposes.
Even if you have no technical expertise, the Network Institute provides guidance and support.
Who is using it already?
Ivano Malavolta, Associate Professor in the Software and Sustainability research group, says:
"There is a lot of interest in Nebula within VU. The first test users come from the Department of Language, Literature and Communication and the Department of Art and Culture, History, and Antiquity. In the coming months, the platform will be further expanded."
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