Faced with the wave of AI sweeping the internet, the Mozilla Foundation announced today that the desktop version of Firefox 148 will be officially released on February 24. Unlike other browsers that are forced to integrate AI, Firefox's Ajit Varma emphasized that the new version will grant users an unprecedented "AI rejection rights," continuing its core commitment to privacy and user control.

Firefox

Core Features: Deep Integration and Personalized Choices

The new version of Firefox will seamlessly integrate artificial intelligence into daily browsing scenarios, aiming to create a smarter and more intuitive experience. Users will get the following AI-driven features:

  • Smart Sidebar: Supports choosing ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or Google Gemini as built-in assistants.

  • Productivity Tools: Automatically generate tab group suggestions, link preview summaries, and PDF alternative texts.

  • Browsing Assistance: Real-time website language translation and multi-dimensional AI search enhancements.

"One-Click Disable": Reaffirming User Sovereignty

To address user concerns about AI intrusion and privacy leaks, Mozilla has added a dedicated AI Management Menu in the settings.

  • Transparent and Optional: Users can make fine-tuned adjustments for specific functions, or simply use the "one-click switch" to completely disable all AI options.

  • Privacy First: Sali Huang, Mozilla's AI product manager, reiterated that Firefox's AI development always follows strict privacy protection principles, ensuring efficiency improvements do not come at the cost of personal data.

Market Positioning: A Non-Profit Choice for 200 Million Users

As the largest non-profit browser currently, Firefox has approximately 200 million monthly active users. Varma stated that although Safari and Edge have also launched similar features, Firefox's differentiation lies in "listening to the community's voice." The company is currently focusing on improving desktop user feedback and will gradually expand to mobile platforms in the future.

Developers and power users eager to try out the new features can experience these AI functions early through Firefox Nightly (the development version), but regular users are advised to wait for the official update in late February.