...or at least the kind of model that isn't fueled by burning a small forest for every query? I am wanting to play an old video game, but I'm still only just learning the language and could use an aid. I really, really want to avoid any of this incredibly wasteful AI stuff.
well, not typically llms. these tools have been around longer than the term.
besides, i don't see why it matters? energy-wise, the problem isn't the tech, it's the immense scale it's deployed on in order to be instantly available to millions of people. running a translator locally is unlikely to show up on your electric bill if you play any games on your computer.