(Image credit: Mozilla)

There’s no such thing as bad publicity, they say. Mozilla must be clinging to that aphorism for dear life right now, what with the internet meltdown that met its announcement that Firefox is to become an AI browser over the next three years.

Mozilla’s new CEO, Anthony Enzor-DeMeo, is putting AI up front and centre. "Firefox will remain our anchor. It will evolve into a modern AI browser and support a portfolio of new and trusted software additions," he says.

In mitigation, Enzor-DeMeo also says that the AI element in Firefox will be optional. "First: Every product we build must give people agency in how it works. Privacy, data use, and AI must be clear and understandable. Controls must be simple. AI should always be a choice — something people can easily turn off," Enzor-DeMeo explains.

While Mozilla says that the transition to AI will be a three-year process, it’s also clear that they don’t plan to hang about. "We will move with urgency. AI is changing software. Browsers are becoming the control point for digital life. Regulation is shifting defaults. These shifts play to Mozilla’s strengths," Enzor-DeMeo goes on.

Google has rolled out Gemini for Chrome in the US already... (Image credit: Google)

Over on X, it’s a similar story, with one user commenting (via Windows Central), "I’ve never seen a company so astoundingly out of touch with the people who want to use its software."

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Mozilla’s new CEO obviously doesn’t agree. "Firefox will reach new audiences," he says, "our portfolio will strengthen our independence. Our approach to building trusted software will set a high standard for the industry."

Personally, I can see both sides of this. Admittedly, my heart sinks at the mere mention of AI, of late. But can the likes of Mozilla totally sit the AI revolution out? That seems unlikely.

Perhaps the roll organisations like Mozilla can play is to implement AI in more considered, controlled way, instead of spewing it everywhere in a crazed hope to cash in. For now, then, the jury should surely be out on this move. Let’s wait and see exactly how Mozilla plays AI, no?

Jeremy has been writing about technology and PCs since the 90nm Netburst era (Google it!) and enjoys nothing more than a serious dissertation on the finer points of monitor input lag and overshoot followed by a forensic examination of advanced lithography. Or maybe he just likes machines that go “ping!” He also has a thing for tennis and cars.

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