Mozilla is bringing AI to Firefox—but only if you want it

August 18, 2026 | Source: Fast Company AI

Tags: Mozilla, Firefox, Smart Window, Exa, browser AI

Firefox's Smart Window AI mode adds opt-in AI chat with live Exa-powered web search and natural language browsing history recall — with a master kill switch in settings that turns off all AI features for users who want the old Firefox experience.

Details

Mozilla is expanding Firefox's Smart Window AI mode with new capabilities while maintaining its opt-in design philosophy. A new AI Controls section in Firefox settings gives users a master toggle to disable all AI features, or the ability to selectively enable features like AI chat, tab grouping, and natural language browsing history search.\n\nThe update adds live web search with source citations through a new Exa partnership, and visual previews of previously visited pages when searching browsing history. Future updates will include Chrome-style surfacing of recent browsing journeys and AI-powered form autofill. Smart Window remains an opt-in beta with no announced general availability date.\n\nMozilla is positioning against AI browsers that direct users toward more LLM queries. Firefox head Ajit Varma contrasted the approach: browsers built for chat engagement are different from browsers built for user experience. Smart Window uses AI to organize what you've already seen, not generate new content. Users can choose their own AI model including Google's Gemini 3.1.