Almost three weeks ago, Mozilla released Firefox 141 that, among other features like memory optimizations for Linux and a built-in unit converter, brought controversial AI-enhanced tab groups.
Powered by a local AI model, these groups identify related tabs and suggest names for them. There is even a “Suggest more tabs for group” button that users can click to get recommendations.
Now, several users have taken to the Firefox subreddit to complain about high CPU usage when using the feature, as well as express their disappointment in Mozilla for adding AI to the browser.
↫ David Uzondu at NeoWin
Is anybody even asking for “AI” features in Firefox? Of the six people still left using Firefox, does even one of them want a chatbot in Firefox? Is any Firefox user the type of user to use some nebulous “AI” tool to organize their open tabs? Seeing these kinds of frivolities in Chrome or Edge or whatever makes sense, but in Firefox?
At least they’re easy to disable through about:config – just set both browser.ml.chat.enabled and browser.tabs.groups.smart.enabled to false. I mean, I guess I can understand Mozilla trying to ride the hype bubble, but at least make this nonsense opt-in, instead of asking users to dig around in obtuse config flags.
FWIW, Librewolf (and probably most other privacy-focused Firefox forks) disables this garbage by default. There is no longer any reason to run official Firefox, even the ESR version, because the various forks are so much better. Librewolf is the best in my testing, with Waterfox not far behind.
The downside to that situation is that those forks depend on upstream continuing active development, and if every Firefox user gets sick of the garbage and migrates to a fork, there will be no incentive for Mozilla to continue active development. We need alternatives to Firefox and Chrome that are user-friendly instead of user-hostile, and support all the good features of those two juggernauts, without the corporate influence to become evil.
Did anyone ever even asked for AI features on ANY application?
Local translate?
Found it very useful for filling in web forms. Basically removed the need for copy-pasta-ing text into competing, web based, translators.
After initial setup it only activates when I click the translate button and it doesn’t use that many resources.
IvoLimmen,
– Do you take pictures with your phone?
– Did you ever use autocorrect tech in recent years?
– Do you use Google search? Or Bing?
– Have Netflix, YouTube or another streaming service?
– do you have spam filters in your email
– or even… have you used maps / uber / gps?
Then, congratulations, you have been using AI!
I almost took the bait, but yeah, adding AI crap no one asked for to your niche browser isn’t the way to grow your shrinking userbase. If this comes to Firefox Mobile I’ll cry (of course it will).
I suspected virus when lately when fans started spinning up more often than before, My guess these types of features in apps are coming to spy/log users behaviour on computer use.
Do it like with Smart TVs: don’t connect your browser to the Internet. Oh…
No comment on the implementation, but of all the AI things that have been crammed into everything, “use a local model to suggest tabs that could go in a group” sounds like one of the most reasonable ones I’ve seen.
dnebdal,
Yes,
Reasonable sized models are very good in summarization, and this could be useful not only for grouping tabs, but summarizing web pages, highlighting relevant sections, or even basic “what is this website about” questions.
Seems like early adopters are paying the price for innovation. A browser shouldn’t resemble a space heater, folks. Performance over promise, always. I remember the days of Netscape, simpler times! I had a similar issue with an early version of a video editing software that choked my entire system. Getting long Slither io enough to win was easier, frankly!
Anyone read the update to the article?
There is a performance issue, it’s not related to the mentiomed AI features.