Mozilla is set to accommodate users who prefer to exclude AI functionalities from their browsing experience. On Monday, the company announced plans for Firefox to enable users to block all existing and future generative AI features. Additionally, users will have the flexibility to selectively block certain AI features while retaining others.
Commencing with Firefox version 148, scheduled for release on February 24, users will discover a new section dedicated to AI controls within the desktop browser settings.
For those wishing to forgo access to any AI features, the new “Block AI enhancements” toggle can be activated. When enabled, users will not receive notifications or prompts for existing or forthcoming AI functionalities.
The AI controls will also provide users the ability to manage specific features individually. These include enhancements like “Translations,” enabling browsing in preferred languages, alternative text for PDFs, AI-assisted tab organization, link previews, and a sidebar AI chatbot that allows interaction with chosen chatbots while browsing, such as Anthropic Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and Le Chat Mistral.
“AI is transforming the web, and users have varying expectations,” the company stated in a blog post. “We have heard from many who prefer to avoid AI altogether, alongside those who seek genuinely useful AI tools. Our commitment to listen to our community and provide options has guided us to implement these AI controls.”
This announcement coincides with the appointment of Anthony Enzor-DeMeo as Mozilla’s CEO in December. At that time, Enzor-DeMeo mentioned that Mozilla would invest in AI and integrate AI features into Firefox, ensuring these functionalities remain optional.
“AI should always be a choice—something that can be easily disabled. Users deserve to understand how a feature operates and the value it brings,” he articulated in a blog post.
Enzor-DeMeo’s remarks come as Mozilla adapts to a swiftly evolving browser market. While browsers like Firefox and Google Chrome have long dominated this space, they now contend with renewed competition from emerging players such as Perplexity, Arc, OpenAI, and Opera.
As Mozilla pursues the development of new AI capabilities, it also emphasizes transparency. CNBC reported last week that Mark Surman, President of Mozilla, is assembling “a sort of rebel alliance” comprising tech startups, developers, and public-interest technologists dedicated to fostering trustworthy AI and mitigating the influence of rapid-growing companies like OpenAI and Anthropic.
Mozilla plans to deploy approximately $1.4 billion from its reserves to support tech enterprises and nonprofits, including its own initiatives. According to CNBC, the company is seeking investments that promote AI transparency and ensure accountability in the face of companies expanding at unprecedented rates with minimal oversight.
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