Mozilla has rolled out “Firefox 148”, introducing a new AI Controls panel that gives users unprecedented authority over artificial intelligence (AI) features in the browser.
At the heart of this update is a “Block AI enhancements” master switch, the Firefox 148 AI Controls Panel, which disables every current and future AI-powered tool in Firefox, without pop-ups, reminders, or nudges to turn them back on.
In case you missed it, in December 2025, Mozilla had assured its audiences that it would introduce such an “AI Kill Switch”. Think of it as a permanent “do not disturb” for any AI features.
Key AI Features Covered: Firefox 148 AI Controls Panel
The new panel applies to a range of AI-driven tools Mozilla has been experimenting with:
- Page translations for multilingual browsing
- Image alt text in PDFs to improve accessibility
- Tab suggestions for smarter navigation
- Link previews that surface context before clicking
- Sidebar chatbot integrations with services like ChatGPT and Google Gemini
Responding to User Feedback
Mozilla emphasized that these Firefox 148 AI Controls Panel features remain opt-in by default, reflecting strong community feedback that users should not be forced into AI-driven experiences. The company highlighted its on-device privacy focus, ensuring that when users do enable AI tools, their data is processed locally rather than sent to external servers.
Striking a Balance
The release underscores Mozilla’s attempt to balance two camps:
- Users eager for AI-powered convenience, who benefit from translation, previews, and chatbot integrations.
- Users wary of AI intrusion, who can now avoid it entirely with a single switch.
By offering both paths, Firefox 148 positions itself as a browser that respects user autonomy while still innovating with modern tools.
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