Share your feedback on the AI services experiment in Nightly

[asafko]

Hi folks, 

In the next few days, we will start the Nightly experiment which provides easy access to AI services from the sidebar. This functionality is entirely optional, and it’s there to see if it’s a helpful addition to Firefox. It is not built into any core functionality and needs to be turned on by you to see it. 

If you want to try the experiment, activate it via Nightly Settings > Firefox Labs (please see full instructions here). 

We’d love to hear your feedback once you try out the feature, and we’re open to all your ideas and thoughts, whether it’s small tweaks to the current experience or big, creative suggestions that could boost your productivity and make accessing your favorite tools and services in Firefox even easier.

Thanks so much for helping us improve Firefox!

[DenJohn]

NO

[Tsyoka]

My sentiments exactly.  As soon as I heard about this garbage, I created an apt preferences file to lock in the firefox version to 129.*. 

If anyone else is sick of having AI shoved in their faces by shady companies who like to make excuses for their poor behaviour, place the below in a file like /etc/apt/preferences.d/firefox_129 to ensure version 130 isn't installed during apt update.  With Pin-Priority over 1000, the version will also be reverted if you accidentally installed the AI integration code already.  Apt preference file content is between dashes.

------------------------
# Block AI integration garbage in version 130 from being installed
Package: firefox
Pin: version 129.*
Pin-Priority: 1100
------------------------

Tested the above with several debian clones ( mx, ubuntu, etc) and it worked as expected.  I am sure there is a method for other package managers as well ( dnf, yum, etc).

[Kazard]

Hey there can you give a few more directions on this?
the file path isn't quite clear enough for me to quite understand where this would be put (windows), and I'm not 100% sure what the file type would be (though I assume I could make in notepad++?)

[Tsyoka]

Hey Kazard,

The method I highlighted above is for debian based linux distributions that use the apt package manager.  It will not work on windows.

If you are looking for a similar method for windows, take a look at https://www.webnots.com/how-to-disable-automatic-update-in-firefox/

Please be advised, disabling updates is not for the faint of heart and strongly recommend that you have other defense in depth security measures in place before heading down this path and treat it as a temporary solution to buy time until other options can be identified.

You need to consider your threat posture and consider the risks between Firefox adding in AI integrations vs other browser based security risks and monitor closely before making the decision.

It is your computer and should have the ability to make those sort of choices yourself though which is why I provided the method to disable.  Have a threat model in mind,  consider the risks and make the decision wisely.

[Kazard]

Thank you very much, and yes, I understand the risks. I will be keeping an eye on other projects and hope to swap over to an appropriate fork, once things are ready and I understand what I am doing better.
Cheers!

[nanarko]

Is there an option to do this on EndeavorOS/arch based distros as well? (I assume you wouldn't know since you didn't say and said you tested on debian machines so I'm just gonna reply with this in the hopes that somebody else sees who knows xD)

[daks18]

I'd suggest to move to 128ESR version instead of freezing 129* version.

[Rumorisms]

I could genuinely use this for school, if you don't like it just turn it off. This is useful to people who need and want the feature, not for people that will protest it even though they can turn it off in the settings . just let it be man, chill.

[Carolly]

AI technology is ethically and morally wrong. It's not just about "turning it off".

[lilliana]

Even if so, AI technology still exists whether or not there is a sidebar to use it in firefox. People who would use this are still just going to use AI regardless, just without the new features that are really helpful for some people.

[majesticmini471]

Not when AI loves to imposter and crash users. Firefox is tons better without it. Right, Scroogle Fome? Edge? Safari? Stupid Oracle Java6<, .Net3<, Python3<, and Swift3<.

[lilliana]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'imposter' or AI crashing users—I've never had that issue with Edge myself.

If you prefer Firefox without the AI features, that’s fine; you don’t have to enable them. If they ever decide to make it a core part of the browser, it’s great that they’re asking for feedback, so we can tell them not to go that route.

But just disliking the feature isn’t a strong enough reason to prevent others from using something that could be really helpful to them, especially when it doesn’t affect how you use Firefox. It seems a bit unfair to block a feature just because it’s not useful to you, when others might benefit greatly from it, considering it is totally optional.

[Lexxy_Fox_2]

Your comment contains lies and idiocy. Here are 3 real facts:

1. They're going to enable the AI by default later. Easy: they're going to have a "vote" to enable the fake-AI by default later, 51% of the non-people are going to say "okay" because all of the people who don't want the fake-AI already left. But even at this stage there exists pieces of FireFox that isn't fake-AI that provides value (the actual browser parts), and Mozilla has now made it harder to access that value.

2. Just! make it! an optional! addon! Then people who don't want the AI don't need to install it! So simple!

3. Does Mozilla have a way to donate money to them that does not contribute to the fake-AI? I really don't know because they're driving me out (see #1). If yes: ignore this. If no (my guess): then again they are preventing people who don't want the fake-AI from donating, even though they would like to contribute money to the non-AI parts of Firefox by bundling Firefox and Mozilla. Then this leads to such false ideas such as "oh no, Mozilla is losing money! We need more [fake-]AI!" or alternatively "oh no, Mozilla is losing money! It's all because they didn't go all-in on the [fake-]AI!".

* " especially when it doesn’t affect how you use Firefox" - LIES, see #1 and #3
* "It seems a bit unfair to block a feature just because it’s not useful to you, when others might benefit greatly from it." - LIES - see #2, make it an add-on.

[lilliana]

Wow, accusing me of "lies and idiocy" right out of the gate? That's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for you.

First, let's address your so-called "real facts":

1. You claim they're going to enable AI by default later through some rigged vote. Interesting theory, but where's your source? Are you privy to some secret Mozilla memos the rest of us aren't? Because according to the latest information from Mozilla, AI services in Firefox are currently disabled by default, and users need to manually enable these services through the Firefox Labs page. There's no confirmed information about a future vote to enable AI by default. Sounds like you're confusing speculation with fact.
2. You say, "Just! make it! an optional! addon!" Well, guess what? They did exactly that. The AI productivity tool "Orbit" is available as a Firefox add-on. So, congratulations, you got what you wanted. Users who don't want to use AI features can simply choose not to install these add-ons. It's almost like Mozilla listened to feedback or something.
3. Your donation point is pure speculation. Mozilla's funding principles and philanthropic efforts are focused on trustworthy AI and other initiatives. While there's no specific information about a separate donation channel that excludes AI contributions, Mozilla's overall mission includes a broad range of projects beyond AI.

Now, let's talk about your liberal use of the word "LIES." You're throwing it around like confetti at a parade, but I don't think it means what you think it means. A lie requires intent to deceive. I based my statements on the information available at the time. If that information was incomplete or has changed, that doesn't make me a liar - it makes me misinformed. There's a crucial difference. You keep harping on about "fake-AI." What's fake about it? AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. It's artificial by definition. Are you arguing it's not intelligent enough? That's a different discussion entirely.

Let's address your "fact-checking":

• "It doesn't affect how you use Firefox" - You claim this is a lie based on points 1 and 3. Point 1 is unproven speculation, and point 3 is a hypothetical about donations. Neither of these actually proves that the current, optional AI feature affects how you use Firefox right now.
• "It seems unfair to block a feature others might benefit from" - You call this a lie and point to your addon suggestion. But that suggestion supports my point, not refutes it. An addon allows others to benefit from the feature. You're agreeing with me while calling me a liar. Make it make sense.

Here's the real kicker - you opened with "3 real facts" but delivered one unsubstantiated claim, one suggestion that's already been implemented, and one hypothetical question. That's 0 for 3 on the fact front. Swing and a miss.

And let's not forget the broader context here. In a thread with over 3000 replies, a staggering 95% were against adding AI features to Firefox. Yet, Mozilla made it an optional add-on, which was literally the suggestion from the anti-AI crowd. And people are still complaining? Talk about moving the goalposts.

Look, I get you're passionate about this. But if you come in saying you have facts, perhaps you should actually present them instead of just confidently accusing me of lying and then doing so yourself. If you are making claims it's on you to prove them, you should at least be able to show me what lead you to believe what you say.

I'm not assuming you're evil for disagreeing with me. I'm assuming you're misinformed or misguided. Prove me wrong with facts, not fantasy.

Ball's in your court. Next time, try bringing facts instead of fiction. It might help your argument more than shouting "LIES" at everything you disagree with.

[yopadir587]

Your response is just as bad as AI generated content. You still failed to provide valuable information, but rather cry and defend your misinformation, but sure, continue to do so.

[javiergcim]

Why is it ethically and morally wrong? What does that 'immorality' consist of? How would it be different from the immorality of, I don't know, selling knives?

[lackey]

There's a world of industry professionals and experts who have answered this question. If you are genuinely curious, answers are a quick search away.

[YassinOmer]

No AI is cool, and it's optional so you are not forced to use it. But for privacy, I prefer to use a local LLM.

[Tsyoka]

As an FYI for the Firefox users who are less than pleased with the addition of AI integrations being added to the browser, it seems that the Librewolf team has confirmed the removal or strict UI disable of these features will be added to the Librewolf browser.

Reference: https://codeberg.org/librewolf/issues/issues/1919

Head on over, give the Librewolf team a big thank you and buy them a coffee for removing what should never have been added in the first place.

[Rumorisms]

Or, just a crazy idea here, I know it'll sound radical, but, how about you just turn the setting off instead of protesting a feature that could prove useful to some users?

[MulaSaWala]

They are literally asking for our thoughts and opinions on it. Also, I would prefer they use their time and effort more wisely, than to create a feature that a majority of their users won't like or even have turned on

[Gabi]

I am very happy to read this and also to know, that I am not the only one. Thks to remove.

[thatharper]

That about sums it up. This AI BS can go jump in a freaking lake.

[Rumorisms]

I love jumping in lakes

[deathdiedtoday]

"NO"
- Well said. AI is hot garbage. Hot (we waste tons of water trying to cool it) garbage (actively detrimental to the digital space).

[novabear0]

especially since the ai bull**bleep** we all know and detest today runs on the same graphics-intensive pollution machines that crypto and nfts do! it's hot garbage in every sense of the word!

[FNielson]

My thoughts exactly. I moved to Firefox to avoid all the AI and privacy nonsense that other browsers have started to employ. I like Firefox, but I'll leave it behind too if this is implemented.

[TJax]

Right I will find a new browser so fast. I'm loyal to Firefox because they provide the services and safety I want, if that stops I'm gone.

[nousernames]

Yup -- does anyone else have Firefox alternatives in case they don't listen to us?

[Rumorisms]

Listen to what? You don't have a very valid argument.

[RlyAsta]

As noted by @Tsyoka, The popular Firefox community project Librewolf has stated that they will not be adding these AI features to their browser. (https://codeberg.org/librewolf/issues/issues/1919)

[Rumorisms]

Or just turn off the setting and keep using it like normal?

[Nobody_of_note]

Doesn't take long until that becomes opt-out, enabled by default.  Later still, it will be integrated and you won't be able to turn it off.

LLMs are an environmental disaster.

[cgromulo]

Just stating the obvious and joining the thread: I don't want firefox to behave like every other browser around. The reason I use (and trust) firefox is exactly because it DOES NOT use my privacy as a business model and getting AI basically turns it into this. We all know what happens when you integrate the product initially as "it won't use your data" and what it evolves to. I'm dropping firefox if this madness continue and you can bet I will fork it or use a forked version with the removed feature.

[hadtoregister]

Seeing that this has been in the pipeline for a while now, and they seem to be walking merrily ahead, that's disappointing. I wonder how much money someone's making off doing this to Firefox.

[Uberprutser]

I wonder the same, is Mozilla getting paid by the "ai" companies?

Personally, I don't mind an easy to disable feature. But what the point for integrating something that can easily be accomplished with and extension. And there are plenty of websites you can goto with Firefox, that have "ai" chatbots.

Luckily, Vivaldi has spoken out against the trend of adding "ai" to their browser.

[Chaosfay]

No such thing as good AI. It is, however, and excellent way to reduce security, increase copyright infringement, and decrease the number of people who will support Firefox/Mozilla.

[luxia]

This, this, this, a hundred times this. Not even counting the water usage and environmental impact.

[nousernames]

Exactly!