Mozilla announced that Firefox 148 will introduce centralized AI controls, giving users the ability to disable all generative AI features or manage them individually. The update addresses growing user demand for browsing without artificial intelligence integrated into their browser experience.
What’s New in Firefox 148
Starting February 24, 2026, Firefox users will find a dedicated AI controls section in the desktop browser settings. A single “Block AI enhancements” toggle will disable all current and future AI features at once, eliminating pop-ups and reminders about existing or upcoming tools.
AI Features You Can Control
Users will be able to independently enable or disable:
- Chatbots in the sidebar (including Anthropic Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and Le Chat Mistral)
- Automated translations for browsing in preferred languages
- AI-generated alt text for PDFs
- AI-enhanced tab grouping with suggested related tabs and group names
- Link previews that display key points before clicking
Mozilla’s Approach to User Choice
Firefox head Ajit Varma stated that “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.” This flexibility reflects Mozilla’s commitment to offering choice rather than forcing AI integration on all users.
The move comes as Mozilla’s CEO Anthony Enzor-DeMeo emphasized that “AI should always be a choice — something people can easily turn off.”
Why This Matters
The update acknowledges that generative AI features can increase resource usage, clutter interfaces, and raise privacy concerns for some users. Rather than forcing AI functionality on everyone, Mozilla is enabling users to strip Firefox back to a more traditional, streamlined experience while allowing others to selectively use AI tools.
Your existing preferences will be respected when the update rolls out—features you’ve previously used will appear enabled, while those you’ve disabled will remain blocked.