Mozilla Firefox browser to launch AI off-switch

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

In other words, open-source Firefox created what users overwhelmed with slop and hallucinations have been waiting for: the ability to see generative AI features only 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 February 24, users will be able to enable a setting called “Block AI Enhancements.”

The new AI controls will come into effect on February 24 with the introduction of Firefox 148. Here’s what the non-profit foundation had to say:

“AI is changing the web, and people want very different things from it. We heard from a lot of people who wanted nothing to do with AI. We also heard from others who wanted AI tools that were actually useful. Listening to our community, alongside our continued commitment to providing choice, led us to create AI controls. Starting with Firefox 148which will roll out on February 24, you will find a new AI controls section in the desktop browser settings. It provides a single place to block current and future generative AI features in Firefox. You can also view and manage individual AI features if you choose to use them. This allows you to use Firefox without AI while we continue to develop AI features for those who want them. »

Why Firefox’s AI controls are so unusual

Credit: Mozilla

Like it or not, we still live in the ChatGPT era. While AI superfans embrace everything about generative AI, many AI critics and skeptics are growing tired of AI’s infinite integrations. Tech giants like Samsung, Google, and Microsoft are integrating AI capabilities into every facet of online life.

Laptops and PCs now come with Copilot pre-installed. Google has integrated AI previews and AI mode into its search tool and Gemini into Chrome. Samsung’s latest mobile phones are now “AI smartphones”, featuring a full suite of generative AI features. Samsung is even integrating AI into washing machines, TVs and refrigerators, leaving no device untouched.

For users who want less artificial intelligence – or even, gasp, No artificial intelligence – technology is increasingly difficult to avoid. For example, there is no way to completely remove the Copilot AI assistant from Windows laptops.

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

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