Mozilla has announced Anthony Enzor-DeMeo as its new Chief Executive Officer and confirmed that, under his leadership, Firefox will transition into an AI-powered browser over the next three years. The company says artificial intelligence will play a growing role across its products, though it has emphasised that all AI features will remain optional and fully controllable by users.
Speaking about Mozilla’s direction, Enzor-DeMeo stressed that user choice and transparency would remain central to the company’s philosophy. He said Mozilla intends to ensure that privacy, data usage, and AI behaviour are clearly explained, with simple controls that allow users to opt out entirely.
According to Enzor-DeMeo, Firefox will continue to serve as Mozilla’s core product while expanding into a broader ecosystem of trusted software, with AI acting as an enhancement rather than a requirement.
Despite these assurances, the announcement has triggered a strong negative reaction online. Many long-time Firefox users expressed frustration on social media, arguing that Mozilla is misunderstanding its audience. Several widely shared posts suggest that a key reason people choose Firefox is to avoid the heavy AI integration now common in rival browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Brave.
Some users accused Mozilla’s leadership of being disconnected from its community, warning that pushing AI—even as an optional feature—could drive people toward alternative browsers. Others urged the company to focus on performance, privacy, and core browser improvements instead of investing resources in artificial intelligence.
The reaction mirrors recent backlash faced by other tech companies. Microsoft, for example, encountered significant criticism after announcing plans to evolve Windows into a more agent-driven, AI-focused platform, prompting executives to publicly reassure users that AI would not come at the expense of traditional functionality.
Mozilla appears to be aware of this growing resistance, which may explain why it emphasised from the outset that AI in Firefox would not be mandatory. However, for many users, the concern goes beyond whether AI can be disabled.
Critics argue that Mozilla should avoid pursuing AI features altogether, especially given its long-standing reputation as a privacy-first alternative in the browser market.
As more major browser developers embrace AI, users seeking a completely AI-free experience may find their options narrowing. Mozilla’s challenge now will be convincing its community that Firefox can evolve without abandoning the values that made it distinct in the first place.
