Technology

I was actually wondering why it felt like my Firefox was dying, possible could align with this.

The pathological need to find something to use LLMs for is so bizzare.

It’s like the opposite of classic ML, relatively tiny special purpose models trained for something critical, out of desperation, because it just can’t be done well conventionally.

But this:

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.

Take out the word AI.

Enhanced tab groups. Powered by a local algorithm, 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.

If this feature took, say, a gigabyte of RAM and a bunch of CPU, it would be laughed out. But somehow it ships because it has the word AI in it? That makes no sense.

I am a massive local LLM advocate. I like “generative” ML, within reason and ethics. But this is just stupid.

Awful Idea? Anal Intrusion? Actually Irrelevant?Activating Idiocy? Adding Incompetence?

Just make it an official extension ffs...

Firefox is a good example of "either you die a hero or live long enoigh to see yourself become the villian"

At least they offer a fix for it:

Head to about:config in a new tab, accept the risk warning, and use the search bar to find the controls.

To kill the AI chatbot feature, search for browser.ml.chat.enabled and set it to false.

To stop smart tab grouping, search for browser.tabs.groups.smart.enabled and set it to false.

I just want a web browser that's not based in the USA.

I wish Mozilla would just debloat the browser, focus on performance and making browsing a good experience. But unfortunately their revenue situation is bad. At this stage, they won't even manage to survive through donations after annoying their main user base.

browser.ml.chat.enabled   false

I'll keep using LibreWolf as my main browser while keeping an eye on Ladybird with my fingers crossed.

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.

I don't think it even downloads the model if you never enable or use it.

I just wish one could donate to firefox development specifically. Then they could rid it of all the advertisement and tracking stuff.

Without having much knowledge of AI models beyond surface level stuff I read, but a good understanding on how computers work it seems fairly predictable to me that running an AI model in the browser session locally would be CPU intensive. As such you would think as a developer you would start with adding the feature as off by default, so users that want it can turn it on and you can get some real world metrics on how bad that hit is going to be before bending the entire user base over the AI kitchen table so to speak.

So both doing it for something as trivial as tab grouping and making it something you have to go into about:config to disable seems really stupid.

Mozilla does it again, adding useless crap.

Instead of capitalising on Google pissing off power users with its crusade against adblockers, why the hell is Mozilla fucking up so hard here? Seriously, which chain of command green lit all of this and didn't even think this would be remotely an issue?

Waterfox has been pretty good lately

First thing I did when some hey we added AI... was to right-click and disable it.