Mozilla has announced that Firefox will soon allow users to block all generative AI features in the browser, responding to growing demand from users who prefer a more traditional, non-AI browsing experience.
The new controls will roll out with Firefox version 148, scheduled for release on February 24, and will apply to the desktop version of the browser.
New AI controls in Firefox
Under the update, Firefox will introduce a dedicated AI controls section within its settings menu. Users who do not want any AI-powered features can enable a “Block AI enhancements” toggle, which will disable all current and future generative AI tools.
Once activated, users will no longer see prompts, reminders, or pop-ups encouraging them to try AI features that Mozilla adds to Firefox over time.
For users who prefer a more selective approach, Firefox will also allow individual AI features to be enabled or disabled separately, offering granular control over how AI is used in the browser.
AI features users can manage
The controls will cover a range of AI-powered tools currently available or planned in Firefox, including:
- Translations, which allows users to browse websites in their preferred language
- AI-generated alt text in PDFs
- AI-enhanced tab grouping
- Link previews
- Firefox’s AI chatbot in the sidebar, which supports services such as ChatGPT, Anthropic Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and Le Chat Mistral
Mozilla said the goal is to give users meaningful choice rather than forcing AI features by default.
“AI is changing the web, and people want very different things from it,” Mozilla wrote in a blog post. “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.”
Optional AI, not mandatory
The announcement aligns with comments made by Anthony Enzor-DeMeo, Mozilla’s CEO, who was appointed in December. At the time, he said Mozilla would continue investing in AI capabilities for Firefox but would ensure they remain optional.
“AI should always be a choice — something people can easily turn off,” Enzor-DeMeo said. “People should know why a feature works the way it does and what value they get from it.”
Competing in a changing browser market
Mozilla’s move comes as the browser market undergoes renewed disruption. While Firefox and Google Chrome dominated web browsing for years, newer entrants such as Arc, Perplexity, OpenAI, and Opera are experimenting with AI-first browser experiences that challenge traditional models.
Rather than competing solely on aggressive AI integration, Mozilla appears to be positioning Firefox around user control, transparency, and trust.
A broader push for AI accountability
Beyond Firefox, Mozilla has signaled broader ambitions around AI governance. According to CNBC, Mozilla President Mark Surman is working to build what he described as a “rebel alliance” of startups, developers, and public-interest technologists focused on making AI more trustworthy and limiting the concentration of power among large AI firms.
Mozilla reportedly plans to deploy around $1.4 billion in reserves to support technology companies and non-profits, including its own initiatives, that promote AI transparency and accountability.
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in digital products, Mozilla’s approach highlights a growing divide in the tech industry: between companies pushing AI by default and those prioritising user choice and control. With this update, Firefox is betting that giving users the power to opt out entirely will resonate in an increasingly AI-saturated web.
