Don’t Want AI in Your Browser? Firefox’s New Update Lets You Turn It All Off

AI features are spreading quickly across apps and browsers, often without much warning. Some users like the added help. Others just want their tools to stay simple. With Firefox 148, Mozilla is leaning into that second group by making AI easier to control and, if needed, easier to turn off entirely.

The upcoming desktop release introduces a new, centralised AI controls section, including a single master switch that disables all current AI features and blocks future ones as well.

One Place to Manage All AI Features

In a recent blog post, Mozilla explained that Firefox 148 will place all AI-related settings inside the main Settings menu. Instead of toggling features across different sections, users can now manage everything from one screen.

The most noticeable addition is a master toggle labelled “Block AI enhancements.” Turning it on disables every AI-powered feature currently in Firefox and prevents prompts for future AI experiments from appearing.

The idea is straightforward: if someone doesn’t want AI in their browser, they shouldn’t have to keep turning things off one by one.

What the New Controls Cover

At launch, the new AI controls apply to several existing Firefox features that rely on machine learning or generative models. These include:

• Automatic page translations
• AI-generated alt text in PDFs
• AI-assisted tab grouping
• Smart link preview summaries
• The sidebar AI chatbot

All of these can be switched off together using the master control, rather than adjusted individually.

Settings That Stick Across Updates

Mozilla says AI preferences will carry over between updates, so users won’t have to reconfigure settings every time Firefox updates. The controls can also be changed at any point, meaning users can turn AI features back on later if they change their mind.

The rollout starts with Firefox Nightly test builds and then reaches the stable Firefox 148 release on 24 February.

A Response to Growing AI Fatigue

Firefox 148 doesn’t remove AI from the browser. Translations, summaries, and chatbots are still there for users who find them useful. What’s different is the tone. Mozilla is openly acknowledging that not everyone wants AI layered into everyday browsing.

That stance is reflected in a poll shared alongside the announcement asking users whether they use AI features on their phones. With nearly two thousand responses, the split highlights how divided people are on these tools, even when they’re positioned as helpful defaults.

Why This Matters

As AI becomes more common in browsers, the question is shifting from “what can it do?” to “who gets to decide?” Firefox 148 doesn’t take a strong stance for or against AI itself. Instead, it gives users a clearer say in how much of it they want.

For people who feel overwhelmed by constant AI additions, the new controls offer something refreshingly simple: a way to opt out without friction.