Firefox Announces 'AI Controls' To Block Its Upcoming AI Features

Source: Slashdot

Announcement

Mozilla’s executive in charge of Firefox explained that while many users want genuinely useful AI tools, “We’ve heard from many who want nothing to do with AI…”. Listening to the community and a commitment to choice led to the development of AI controls.

AI Controls in Firefox 148

Starting with Firefox 148 (rollout on Feb 24), a new AI controls section appears in the desktop browser settings. It provides a single place to block current and future generative‑AI features, allowing users to browse without AI while Mozilla continues to build AI features for those who want them.

Features you can manage individually

• Translations – browse the web in your preferred language.
• Alt text in PDFs – add accessibility descriptions to images in PDF pages.
• AI‑enhanced tab grouping – suggest related tabs and group names.
• Link previews – show key points before you open a link.
• AI chatbot in the sidebar – use your chosen chatbot while browsing (options include Anthropic Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and Le Chat Mistral).

User options

• You can enable some features while disabling others.
• To block all AI enhancements, toggle Block AI enhancements. When enabled, no pop‑ups or reminders for existing or upcoming AI features will appear.
• Preferences persist across updates.

Early Access

AI controls are available first in Firefox Nightly for users who want to try them early.

Industry Context

• The Register notes a similar stance in other browsers. Vivaldi’s latest release leans away from generative features entirely, with CEO Jon von Tetzchner telling The Register: “Basically, what we are finding is that people hate AI…”. Mozilla’s “kill switch” isn’t the end of AI in browsers, but it signals growing resistance to hype.
• ZDNet’s Jack Wallen observes that most browsers already offer comparable controls: Edge can disable Copilot, Chrome can disable Gemini, and Opera can disable Aria.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.