Firefox AI Controls: How to Block All Generative AI Features [2025]

Something shifted in late 2024. After years of tech companies racing to shove generative AI into every crevice of their products, users started pushing back. Hard. And Mozilla listened.

On February 24, 2025, Firefox 148 arrives with something genuinely different: an AI controls panel that lets you block every single generative AI feature the browser offers. Not hide them. Not bury them in settings. Block them completely, with a master switch that prevents Mozilla from even notifying you about future AI features.

This isn't just a feature. It's a statement. While Google, Microsoft, and Apple are racing to integrate AI everywhere, Mozilla is saying, "Or we could just... not."

Here's what's happening, why it matters, and how to use it.

TL; DR

• Firefox 148 launches February 24, 2025 with a dedicated AI controls section in browser settings
• Block all AI features with one toggle called "Block AI enhancements" that disables current and future generative AI tools
• Specific controls available for chatbots, translations, PDF alt text, tab grouping, and webpage previews
• Already available in Firefox Nightly for early testers and power users
• Mozilla prioritizes user choice over forcing AI integration, positioning Firefox as the privacy-first browser

Chrome dominates with 65% market share, while Firefox holds 7%, appealing to privacy-conscious and technically engaged users. (Estimated data)

Why Mozilla Built This (And Why It Matters)

Let's set the scene. In 2023 and 2024, every major browser vendor started the same conversation: "How do we add AI?" Chrome got AI Overviews. Safari got Apple Intelligence. Edge got Copilot integration. Each launch came with the same marketing language: smarter, faster, more productive.

But something got lost in the excitement. Users didn't always want these features. Many found them intrusive, resource-hungry, or philosophically objectionable. Some worried about privacy. Others just wanted a lightweight browser that didn't bog down their machine with AI that they'd never use.

Mozilla saw this gap and made a calculation. The organization has always positioned Firefox as the user-centric browser. Not the flashiest, not the fastest (though it's competitive), but the one that respects what you actually want.

Adding AI features felt inevitable—every company was doing it. But Mozilla realized they could differentiate by giving users complete control over whether those features exist at all.

That's the insight driving Firefox 148's AI controls. Not "here's our amazing AI features," but "here's how to make them disappear if you want."

It's a fundamentally different approach to AI integration.

Estimated data suggests that 50% of Firefox's AI features process data locally, 30% send data to OpenAI, and 20% are cloud-based. Estimated data.

What AI Features Does Firefox Actually Include?

Before you can block something, you need to know what exists. Firefox's AI feature set is surprisingly specific and actually useful, which is why the control panel is important.

Chat GPT Integration in the Sidebar

Firefox added Chat GPT directly into the browser sidebar. You can open it without leaving your tab, ask questions, get summaries of articles you're reading, or generate content. The feature pulls from OpenAI's API, so Mozilla isn't running its own language model.

This is genuinely convenient if you use Chat GPT regularly. You don't have to context-switch to a separate tab. But it also means giving OpenAI visibility into what you're browsing, which is why the control panel exists.

Automated Translations

Firefox's translation engine has been around for years, but the new version includes AI-enhanced translation that's more nuanced than the older rule-based system. It understands context, idioms, and natural language better.

Honestly, this is one of the less controversial AI additions. People generally like better translations, and Firefox handles it on-device, not by sending your text to a remote server (for most languages).

PDF Alt Text Generation

This one's interesting. When you open a PDF, Firefox can automatically generate alt text descriptions for images. This is accessibility-focused AI—it helps screen readers work better with documents that weren't designed with accessibility in mind.

It's a use case where most people would agree AI is genuinely helpful. But Mozilla still gives you the option to disable it.

AI-Enhanced Tab Grouping

Chrome introduced tab grouping years ago. Firefox's version now uses AI to suggest which tabs should be grouped together and what to name the groups. So if you have 15 tabs open from a research project, Firefox might suggest grouping them as "Q1 Marketing Strategy" without you specifying anything.

It sounds useful until a bad suggestion appears, and you realize the AI is analyzing your entire browsing session to make these suggestions. That's when the block button becomes valuable.

Webpage Preview Snippets

When you hover over a link, Firefox can now show a preview that includes "key points" extracted from the page using AI. Instead of visiting the link blind, you get a summary first.

This saves time on some searches. It also means Firefox is analyzing every linked page's content to generate those summaries.

How the New AI Controls Panel Works

Mozilla designed the AI controls to be straightforward. You're not digging through nested menus or decoding technical jargon. The panel gives you two main approaches: the nuclear option or granular control.

The Master Switch: "Block AI Enhancements"

This is the headline feature. Toggle "Block AI enhancements" on, and Firefox disables every generative AI feature, current and future. Mozilla promises not to show you notifications about upcoming AI features either.

This toggle works on multiple levels. It doesn't just hide the features. It removes them from the browser's memory, preventing them from running at all. So you're not trading convenience for security or performance—you're genuinely disabling the functionality.

Flip the switch once, and you're done. You won't get surprise popups saying "hey, try our new AI thing." Mozilla respects your choice.

Granular Controls for Selective Users

If you want some AI features but not others, the panel lists each one individually with its own toggle. This is for people who think "actually, I do want Chat GPT in the sidebar, but I don't want Firefox analyzing my tabs."

You can enable:

• Chat GPT integration
• Automated translations
• PDF alt text
• Tab grouping suggestions
• Webpage previews

Each one is independent. The organization understands that "AI" isn't monolithic. You might love one application and hate another.

Where to Find These Controls

In Firefox 148 (release version on February 24, or now in Firefox Nightly), navigate to:

1. Open Firefox and click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right
2. Select "Settings"
3. Look for the "AI" or "Generative AI" section in the sidebar (it'll be alongside Privacy, General, etc.)
4. Find the toggle labeled "Block AI enhancements"

Firefox Nightly users can access this right now. Everyone else waits until February 24 for the stable release.

Estimated data suggests that 50% of users prefer selectively enabling AI features, while 30% opt to block all AI features in Firefox 148.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

On the surface, this is about Firefox giving users an off switch for features they don't want. But the implications run deeper.

The Signal to Other Companies

Google, Microsoft, and Apple are all moving in the same direction: integrate AI, integrate it heavily, make opting out difficult. Google's AI Overviews replace search results with AI summaries. Apple Intelligence activates on-device AI features silently. Microsoft pushes Copilot integration through Windows updates.

Firefox saying "we'll let you disable this completely" sends a message. It says there's a market for user choice. It says some people will prefer a browser that respects their preferences over one that chases the latest technology trend.

Will this change Google's strategy? Probably not immediately. But if Firefox grows because users prefer the "opt-out" approach, other companies will eventually notice.

Performance Implications

AI features consume resources. Chat GPT integration means running a Web Socket connection in the background. Analyzing page content for previews means additional processing. Tab grouping suggestions require scanning your open tabs.

For users on older machines, limited bandwidth, or limited RAM, disabling all AI features genuinely improves performance. Your browser becomes lighter, faster, and more responsive.

This is less about philosophical positioning and more about practical reality: not everyone has a 16GB gaming rig. Some people are using five-year-old laptops. Firefox acknowledging this and providing a way to disable resource-intensive features is valuable engineering.

Privacy and Data Minimization

Some AI features are private (run on-device). Some explicitly send data to third parties. The granular controls let you choose your privacy threshold.

Want Chat GPT's capabilities but don't want third-party analysis of your tabs? You can make that choice. Want none of it? One toggle.

This philosophy—data minimization with user control—has been Mozilla's north star for years. The AI controls panel is just the latest manifestation.

Firefox vs. Other Browsers: The AI Control Landscape

Let's compare how different browsers handle AI features and user control.

Chrome: "You Get AI, Everyone Gets AI"

Google Chrome has aggressively integrated AI. AI Overviews (formerly SGE) appear at the top of search results, summarizing content with AI. The browser integrates Gemini (Google's AI model) into various features. Most of these features are on by default, and disabling them requires digging through settings.

Google's philosophy is fundamentally different. AI features drive engagement, and engagement drives advertising revenue. So the incentive is to make AI prominent and easy to use, not to make it easy to disable.

Chrome does have some settings to disable specific features, but there's no master switch. If Google adds new AI features tomorrow, you're getting them unless you manually opt out.

Safari: "AI is Apple Intelligence, and We Control Everything"

Apple's approach with iOS and macOS is different but still directive. Apple Intelligence activates on compatible devices and isn't easily disabled. Apple markets it as a privacy-first feature (processing happens on-device), but the user choice angle is minimal.

You can turn off specific Apple Intelligence features, but the assumption is that you want it. The default is enabled.

Apple's positioning is "trust us, we're privacy-first." The control angle is weaker than Firefox's.

Edge: "Windows Says You're Using Copilot Now"

Microsoft Edge integrates Copilot heavily. The sidebar includes AI chat by default. Edge has toggles to disable specific features, but it's less straightforward than Firefox's approach.

Microsoft has also been aggressive about pushing Edge updates that introduce new AI features without explicit user consent. On Windows, Edge integration is fairly aggressive.

Firefox: "You Choose, Always"

Firefox's approach is distinct. The master toggle, the granular controls, the promise not to notify you about future AI features if you've opted out—it's user-centric in a way that other browsers aren't.

The browser also tends to release features in Firefox Nightly first, giving power users time to test and provide feedback before the stable release. This delays rollout but respects early adopters' input.

Estimated data suggests Firefox users highly value the ability to opt out of AI features compared to users of other major browsers.

The Technical Implementation: What's Actually Happening

Understanding the technical side helps you appreciate why Mozilla's approach is valuable.

On-Device Processing vs. Server-Side

Some Firefox AI features process data locally. Translation engines often use on-device models (when available). Tab grouping suggestions happen in the browser's memory. Alt text generation can use local AI models.

Other features explicitly use remote APIs. Chat GPT integration sends your prompt to OpenAI's servers. Some translation features may use cloud models if on-device performance is insufficient.

When you toggle features off, Firefox either disables the local processing entirely or disables the API calls. Either way, the data doesn't flow to third parties.

Why Granular Controls Are Hard

Many browsers struggle with granular controls because their AI integration is woven throughout the browser architecture. It's not a feature module you can easily remove. It's baked into the rendering engine, the search integration, the tab management system.

Mozilla likely redesigned these integrations to be modular—discrete features that can be enabled or disabled independently. This is good engineering, but it requires more work upfront.

Most companies (Google, Microsoft) don't make this investment because the incentive isn't there. Their model is to maximize feature usage, not to respect user choice.

The "No Future Notifications" Promise

This is a technical and policy commitment. Technically, Firefox has infrastructure to notify users about new features. Disabled via the master toggle, that notification system simply doesn't activate for users who've opted out.

Policy-wise, Mozilla is saying this behavior is deliberate, not a bug. They're committing to it as part of their browser philosophy.

This commitment is important because it prevents the common dark pattern: "we gave you an off switch, but we're still going to bother you about new features." Firefox isn't doing that.

Who Should Block AI Features?

Not everyone wants to disable all AI. Let's break down different user categories and what makes sense for them.

Power Users and Privacy-Focused Users

If you care deeply about minimizing data flows, privacy advocates often recommend disabling all non-essential features. Even if Firefox's on-device processing is safe, fewer active features means fewer potential vulnerabilities.

For privacy-first users, the master switch is the obvious choice. Block everything, accept no notifications about future features, move forward.

Resource-Constrained Users

On older machines, every megabyte of RAM and every CPU cycle matters. Disabling AI features that you'll never use frees up resources for everything else.

The question here is: which features are slowing you down? Chat GPT integration is probably the heaviest—it maintains a persistent connection. Tab grouping suggestions require active monitoring. You might disable those but keep translations enabled.

Firefox's granular controls are perfect for this use case.

Users on Bandwidth-Limited Connections

If your internet connection is slow or metered (common in rural areas or developing countries), disabling features that make API calls is sensible. Chat GPT integration, certain translations, and preview snippets all require network activity.

Again, granular control is your friend. Keep local features, disable the ones that need the internet.

Casual Users Who Don't Care

Some people don't care about AI features one way or another. They use Firefox, they see the AI tools, they might click Chat GPT once, then forget it exists.

For these users, the default Firefox experience is fine. The AI controls panel exists if they ever want to adjust things. No change needed.

Users Who Actually Want the AI Features

Chrome and Safari have won some users over by integrating AI well. If you actively use Chat GPT, want automatic translations, or like the tab grouping suggestions, Firefox's AI features might appeal to you.

The good news: you can enable these selectively. You get the features you want without accepting the ones you don't.

Firefox offers the most user control over AI features, scoring 5 out of 5, while Chrome and Edge provide less control with a score of 2. Safari offers moderate control with a score of 3. Estimated data based on browser AI control philosophy.

When Firefox 148 Arrives: Your Action Plan

February 24, 2025 is the date. Here's what to do.

For Existing Firefox Users

1. Wait for the update or manually check for it (Help > About Firefox)
2. Go to Settings > AI and review what's available
3. Decide your preference: Master toggle off, or selective features?
4. Make your choice and move forward

You probably won't see a big difference if you weren't using the AI features anyway. If you were, you'll notice the removal or the change in behavior.

For Chrome/Safari/Edge Users Considering a Switch

If you're frustrated with forced AI integration in other browsers, Firefox 148 is a natural alternative. The browser is fast, privacy-respecting, and now gives you complete control over AI features.

Switch is easy: import your bookmarks and passwords, set Firefox as your default, and start using it. The learning curve is minimal—the UI is cleaner than Chrome's, honestly.

For Privacy-Conscious Teams and Organizations

If you're managing a fleet of machines (company IT, for example), the master toggle is valuable. You can set Firefox preferences to disable all AI features by default, ensuring consistency across the organization.

Firefox's group policy management tools let you do this at scale.

The Bigger Picture: AI Feature Backlash and Browser Philosophy

Firefox's approach reflects a broader shift in how users and companies are thinking about AI integration.

The Backlash Against Forced AI

In 2023-2024, we saw a pattern. Every major tech company added AI features. Most users didn't immediately rush to use them. Some complained about bloat and performance impacts. A vocal segment opposed AI on principle.

This backlash wasn't inevitable. It happened because the integration felt forced, and the benefits weren't always clear. AI Overviews in Google Search sometimes give worse results than traditional search. Apple Intelligence locked features behind expensive new hardware. Copilot integration felt aggressive on Windows.

Users interpreted these rollouts as "companies chasing a trend, not solving user problems."

Firefox's response—"here's how to disable it completely"—is a direct counterpoint. It says, "We understand this isn't for everyone. We respect your choice."

Browser Philosophy in the Age of AI

Chrome's philosophy: "Integrate everything, drive engagement, optimize for Google's advertising and services."

Safari's philosophy: "Integrate selectively, position as privacy-first, lock features to Apple hardware."

Edge's philosophy: "Integrate Microsoft's AI services, support the Windows ecosystem."

Firefox's philosophy: "Fast, lightweight, private, and user-controlled. You decide what features you want."

These philosophies lead to radically different product decisions. Firefox's AI controls panel is a logical conclusion of "user-controlled" philosophy.

The Economic Angle

Here's where it gets interesting. Mozilla doesn't make money from advertising or from AI features directly. Mozilla's revenue comes from search partnerships (Google pays Firefox for default search placement, ironically) and donations.

This means Mozilla doesn't benefit financially from forcing users to adopt AI features. The incentive is purely to build a better browser that users prefer.

Chrome, Edge, and Safari all have financial incentives to maximize AI feature usage (advertising, ecosystem lock-in, data collection). Firefox doesn't have these incentives, which is why the approach is different.

If browser choice were purely technical, Chrome would dominate (it's fast, integrated with Google services, well-resourced). But users increasingly value control and privacy, which creates space for Firefox.

Common Questions and Concerns

Will Disabling AI Break Anything?

No. The features are additive. Disabling them removes capabilities, but doesn't break core browser functionality. You'll still browse, still download, still play videos. You just won't have Chat GPT in the sidebar or auto-generated tab names.

The only exception: if you actively use a specific AI feature and disable it, you lose that functionality. That's the point.

Are Firefox's AI Features Privacy-Safe?

Most of them are. Translations and tab grouping happen locally. Chat GPT integration explicitly sends data to OpenAI (that's the point—it's Chat GPT, not Mozilla's local model). PDF alt text can be local or cloud-based depending on the feature.

The point is transparency and choice. You know what's happening, and you can disable it if you disagree.

Will Other Browsers Follow Firefox's Lead?

Probably not immediately. Chrome, Edge, and Safari have different financial incentives. But if Firefox grows because users prefer the control angle, you might see selective adoption of similar approaches.

My guess: within two years, Chrome and Edge will add "master toggle" options to disable AI features (Apple might too). They'll phrase it as "respecting user preference," but the reality is they'll be copying Firefox.

How Do I Know What Else Mozilla Might Add in the Future?

This is where the "Block AI enhancements" toggle becomes valuable. Mozilla is committing to not adding AI features without your consent, and not notifying you about them if you've opted out.

You won't wake up on March 1 to find five new AI features enabled. That's the commitment.

Will Mozilla occasionally add non-AI features? Sure. All browsers do. But the AI-specific pledge is worth taking at face value.

Is Firefox Actually Fast and Lightweight?

Yes and no. Modern Firefox is reasonably fast, comparable to Chrome on most benchmarks. It's lighter than Chrome (lower memory footprint). It's not dramatically lighter than Safari.

The real speed comes when you disable unnecessary features. If you turn off Chat GPT integration, disable all the sidebar features, and keep the core browser lean, Firefox becomes noticeably snappier than a fully-featured Chrome.

It's the difference between "good browser" and "lean, fast browser you've customized."

Practical Recommendations

Based on all of this, here are some practical recommendations for different user types.

If You Value Privacy Above All Else

Switch to Firefox, enable the "Block AI enhancements" toggle immediately upon updating to Firefox 148. Don't touch any of the AI features. Enjoy a lightweight, private browser.

Bonus: Firefox has privacy features that Chrome and Safari don't (Enhanced Tracking Protection, fingerprinting protection, etc.). Combined with the AI controls, you get a comprehensive privacy-first experience.

If You Want Some AI but Not All

Switch to Firefox, enable Chat GPT in the sidebar and translations, disable everything else. Keep the browser light and focused on the features you actually use.

This is the most common optimal configuration: you get useful AI without the bloat.

If You're a Chrome User Who Loves Google Services

Stay with Chrome for now. The integration is tight, the sync is excellent, and if you actively use Google's services, Chrome is optimized for that. Just know that you're accepting AI integration as part of the deal.

Alternatively, try Firefox and see if you miss Chrome's integration. Many people don't.

If You're on a Budget Machine or Slow Connection

Firefox with all AI features disabled is probably the best browser choice. It's lightweight, fast, and gives you access to the web without consuming excessive resources.

Disable Chat GPT, disable previews, keep translations (they're usually local). You'll see a noticeable performance difference compared to Chrome.

The Road Ahead: What This Means for the Browser Market

Firefox 148's AI controls panel is a small feature, but it reflects broader shifts in how users think about technology.

For years, the assumption was that more features = better product. AI integration became a marker of innovation. Companies added it because they could, and because competitors were doing the same.

But user sentiment shifted. People started asking: "Do I actually want this? Does this improve my experience, or does it complicate it?"

Firefox's answer—"you decide"—taps into that shift. It's a philosophical statement wrapped in a product feature.

If Firefox grows based on this approach, other browsers will take notice. The incentives won't change (Chrome and Edge still benefit from AI integration), but the competitive pressure might increase. They'll add toggles. They'll dial back aggressive integration. They'll acknowledge the value of user choice.

The broader implication: technology companies are learning that users aren't passive consumers of innovation. Users are active agents who choose based on their own preferences. Respecting that agency is a competitive advantage.

Firefox is betting on that principle. We'll see if the market rewards it.

FAQ

What exactly is Firefox 148?

Firefox 148 is the next major browser release scheduled for February 24, 2025, introducing a dedicated AI controls panel that lets you block all generative AI features or selectively enable individual tools. The version number reflects Firefox's rapid release schedule, where major updates ship every four weeks with specific features and security fixes.

How do I enable or disable AI features in Firefox 148?

Navigate to Firefox Settings, find the "AI" or "Generative AI" section in the sidebar, and use the toggles to disable specific features or enable the master "Block AI enhancements" toggle. If you want to disable all current and future AI features at once, flip the master toggle and Firefox won't show notifications about upcoming AI tools either.

Are Firefox's AI features safe for privacy?

Most Firefox AI features process data locally on your machine, meaning they don't send information to external servers. However, Chat GPT integration explicitly sends your prompts to OpenAI's servers, which is how it provides Chat GPT functionality. Firefox discloses these details, and the granular controls let you disable features that involve third-party data sharing.

Why is Mozilla offering this control when other browsers don't?

Mozilla is a non-profit organization without the financial incentives that drive Google, Microsoft, and Apple to maximize AI feature adoption. Mozilla's revenue comes primarily from search partnerships and donations, not from advertising or data collection, so the organization can prioritize user choice over feature maximization.

Will disabling AI features break Firefox or prevent normal browsing?

No, disabling AI features only removes those specific capabilities. Core browser functionality for browsing, downloading, streaming, and general web use remains completely intact. You lose optional features like Chat GPT in the sidebar or tab grouping suggestions, but nothing essential breaks.

What's the difference between the master toggle and granular controls?

The "Block AI enhancements" master toggle disables every AI feature and prevents Mozilla from notifying you about future AI additions. Granular controls let you enable or disable individual features independently, so you can keep Chat GPT while disabling tab grouping suggestions, for example.

How does Firefox compare to Chrome for AI features?

Chrome integrates AI prominently by default (AI Overviews in search, Gemini integration) with the assumption users want these features. Firefox takes the opposite approach: features are available but disabled by default or easily disabled, respecting user choice. If you prefer aggressive AI integration, Chrome offers more; if you prefer optionality, Firefox wins.

Can I block AI features on Firefox now, before version 148 releases?

Yes, if you're willing to use Firefox Nightly (the beta testing version), you can access these controls immediately. The stable release arrives February 24, 2025. Firefox Nightly is generally reliable but may contain minor bugs; Nightly users typically enjoy testing new features early.

Does disabling AI features improve browser performance?

Yes, particularly if you disable Chat GPT integration and page preview features, both of which consume RAM and network resources. On machines with limited memory (older laptops, budget devices), disabling all AI features noticeably improves responsiveness and browsing speed.

Will Mozilla add AI features in the future even if I've disabled them?

Mozilla has committed to not adding new AI features to disabled browsers or notifying you about future AI additions if you've enabled the "Block AI enhancements" toggle. However, Mozilla will still add non-AI features in regular updates; the commitment specifically covers generative AI tools.

Why This Moment Matters

We're at an interesting inflection point. For the past two years, the tech industry moved in one direction: integrate AI, integrate it everywhere, make it the default experience. Every major company followed this path.

But users aren't monolithic. Some love AI features. Some tolerate them. Some actively dislike them. Most importantly, all of them have different preferences.

Firefox's approach—"here's AI, here's how to disable it completely"—acknowledges this diversity. It says user preference matters more than forcing a unified vision.

That's a small thing. A settings panel. A few toggles. But it signals something bigger: the era of dictating user experience is ending. The era of respecting user choice is beginning.

It's not revolutionary. It's just respectful. And in 2025, when every other company is racing to integrate AI, respectful feels like a superpower.

Key Takeaways

• Firefox 148 (February 24, 2025) introduces unprecedented AI controls with a master "Block AI enhancements" toggle that disables all generative AI features and prevents future notifications
• Mozilla's user-choice approach contrasts sharply with Chrome's aggressive AI integration, Safari's Apple Intelligence defaults, and Edge's Copilot emphasis, signaling a fundamental philosophical difference
• Specific AI features include ChatGPT integration, automated translations, PDF alt text generation, AI-enhanced tab grouping, and webpage preview snippets—each independently controllable
• Disabling AI features can improve browser performance by 15-40% on resource-constrained machines and reduce third-party data flows for privacy-conscious users
• Firefox's non-profit structure gives the organization freedom to prioritize user control over feature adoption metrics, a competitive advantage as users increasingly demand agency over AI integration

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