Firefox browser to add AI off-switch, bucking industry trend

New AI controls are coming to the Firefox browser, the Mozilla Foundation has announced — including the ability to turn off generative AI features entirely.

The open-source Firefox, in other words, has created what users overwhelmed by slop and hallucinations have been waiting for: the ability to only see generative AI features when they're useful.

In a blog post announcing the update, Mozilla details how AI controls will give Firefox users the ability to "block current and future generative AI features." Starting Feb. 24, users will be able to toggle a setting called "Block AI enhancements."

The new AI controls will go into effect on Feb. 24 with the introduction of Firefox 148. Here's what the nonprofit foundation had to say:

"AI is changing the web, and people want very different things from it. We’ve heard from many who want nothing to do with AI. We’ve also heard from others who want AI tools that are genuinely useful. Listening to our community, alongside our ongoing commitment to offer choice, led us to build AI controls. Starting with Firefox 148, which rolls out on Feb. 24, you’ll find a new AI controls section within the desktop browser settings. It provides a single place to block current and future generative AI features in Firefox. You can also review and manage individual AI features if you choose to use them. This lets you use Firefox without AI while we continue to build AI features for those who want them."

Why Firefox's AI controls are so unusual

Like it or not, we're still very much living in the ChatGPT era. As AI superfans embrace all things generative AI, many AI critics and skeptics are growing tired of the endless AI integrations. Tech giants like Samsung, Google, and Microsoft are integrating AI features into every facet of online life.

Laptops and PCs now come with Copilot pre-installed. Google has integrated AI overviews and AI Mode into its search tool and Gemini into Chrome. The latest mobile phones from Samsung are now "AI smartphones," with a full suite of generative AI features. Samsung is even putting AI in washing machines, TVs, and refrigerators, leaving no device untouched.

For users who want less artificial intelligence — or even, gasp, no artificial intelligence — the technology is increasingly difficult to avoid. For instance, there's no way to fully remove the AI assistant Copilot from Windows laptops.

But Firefox users will be able to control individual AI settings, including:

• Translations

• Alt text in PDFs

• AI-enhanced tab grouping

• Link previews

• AI chatbot in the sidebar

Mozilla also released a video showing how AI controls will work.