The latest version of macOS, known as macOS 17, includes artificial intelligence (AI) features powered by large language models, which are stored directly on the device. These models allow for functions like predictive text and other intelligent features. While Apple provides settings to disable specific AI functions, the files associated with these models remain on the user's hard drive. A third-party tool named RemoveMacAI, available as open source on GitHub, allows users to delete these files and stop macOS from re-downloading them. The tool uses a simple command in the Terminal application to remove the files and apply a configuration profile that blocks re-downloading, even after future updates. According to the developer, this process frees up approximately 12 gigabytes of storage, although some users on Reddit have reported freeing up up to 30 gigabytes. The tool does not directly alter system files but uses the operating system to perform the deletion through an unused port. Apple’s AI models, collectively referred to as Apple Intelligence, can take up around 12 gigabytes of storage space on a Mac. For users with a 256 gigabyte solid-state drive (SSD), this is a noticeable amount of space. AppleInsider reports that macOS 17 does not provide a centralized option to disable Apple Intelligence as a whole, though users can disable specific features like Siri. However, the AI models remain on the disk, and there is no official method provided by Apple to remove them completely. An independent developer, Om Lahore, created RemoveMacAI, which is available under the MIT license and works only on Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 17. The tool installs a configuration profile to disable various AI features and delete the associated models. It uses Apple's resource service with System Integrity Protection (SIP) enabled, which is a security feature that prevents unauthorized changes to critical system files. The 12 gigabyte figure is stated by the project, though some Reddit users have reported freeing up up to 30 gigabytes. This figure is not confirmed in the tool's documentation, and the actual storage freed depends on the size of the Apple Intelligence models on each machine. To use RemoveMacAI, users can run a command in the Terminal or use Homebrew, a package manager for macOS. The tool displays the active functions and the space occupied by the models before asking for confirmation to disable Apple Intelligence. Users can also revert the changes with a specific command. Before using the tool, users are advised to verify the GitHub repository and back up their Mac, as the tool is recent and has not undergone an independent security audit.