Mozilla Gives Firefox Users Power Over AI Features

Mozilla announced that starting February 24, 2026, Firefox users will gain new AI controls in version 148, allowing them to block or manage generative AI features directly from browser settings. This move reflects growing demand for choice as AI becomes more integrated into everyday web browsing.

Firefox Adds AI Controls: What You Need to Know

Key Details

• Launch Date: February 24, 2026, with Firefox version 148.
• New Feature: A dedicated AI controls section in browser settings.
• Purpose: Gives users the ability to disable all AI features or manage them individually.

What Features Can Be Controlled?

Mozilla has integrated several AI-powered enhancements into Firefox over recent months. With the new controls, users can now toggle off:

• AI translations for browsing in different languages.
• Alt text in PDFs that automatically generates accessibility descriptions.
• AI-enhanced tab grouping that suggests related tabs and names.
• Link previews summarizing key points before opening a page.
• Sidebar chatbots, including options like Anthropic Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and Le Chat Mistral.

Why Mozilla Is Doing This

Mozilla says the decision came after listening to its community:

• Some users want nothing to do with AI.
• Others want AI tools that are genuinely useful.
• The new controls ensure choice and transparency, allowing Firefox to serve both groups.

Ajit Varma, head of Firefox, emphasized that the controls provide “a single place to block current and future generative AI features,” while still allowing those who want AI to use it.

Broader Context

• Mozilla first announced plans to integrate AI into Firefox in November 2025, promising that all features would remain opt-in.
• The rollout comes amid wider debates about AI in consumer technology, with users demanding greater privacy, transparency, and control.
• Competing browsers like Chrome and Edge have leaned heavily into AI integration, but Firefox’s approach highlights user autonomy as a differentiator.

Risks and Trade-Offs

• Privacy Concerns: AI features often rely on cloud-based processing, raising questions about data handling.
• Accessibility vs. Control: Features like alt text in PDFs improve usability for many, but some users may prefer manual control.
• Competitive Pressure: By offering opt-outs, Firefox risks lagging behind rivals in AI adoption—but gains trust among privacy-conscious users.

Mozilla’s decision to add AI controls to Firefox reflects a growing recognition that users want agency in how AI shapes their browsing experience. With version 148, Firefox will become one of the few major browsers to offer one-click AI disablement, positioning itself as a champion of choice in an increasingly AI-driven web.