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Don't build AI into Firefox unless there is a tangible benefit.
Firefox exists as a no-bullshit alternative to prevent other browsers from having a monopoly. It also exists to promote open standards on the web.
It's sad to hear 60 people lost their jobs, especially when the Mozilla Foundation needs all the support we can give them. They're doing worlds of good by keeping standards open.
Highlighting fake reviews could be a tangible benefit, if it has a near-100% success rate. If it has significant false-positives or -negatives, it would probably be a net detriment.
For my money I subscribe to Mozilla services where I can, to support them. I value Firefox highly, as one of the few browsers left that's not just Chrome under the hood.
My main concern at the moment is Mozilla's money issues. I think AI services could likely make that worse.
However, if they can work with local large language models to run client side, could be an amazing feature.
Everyone's getting really excited about the newest largest model seeing how many parameters they can cram into the training, while I feel like this is the real use case: small, highly specialised models that can run locally.
Though Firefox was the whipping-boy for RAM-hogging back in the day, and including a local model might just catapult them back to the top of that particular chart 😅
When the CEO (which is most likely where this request came from) proposed this in a meeting, I hope someone let out the largest, most vulgar, violent, chest-rattling fart noise just to reaffirm what a useless bull shit idea this is.
Seems Vivaldi is the only bigger named browser that's come out against adding AI. Where do you think Mozilla could focus its attention to increase revenue if not where the industry is headed?
I really don't think there's any viable business model for Mozilla. Browser development is too expensive and no one pays for a browser. Google finances itself through ads, Microsoft isn't even developing their own engine anymore and sells it as part of their whole OS anyway.
Other browsers are irrelevant because they are mostly a new UI on top of Chromium.
Donations won't ever be enough unless some billionaire sees internet freedom as important or countries start to see an open web as a part of public infrastructure. Both are highly unlikely, so hopefully the deal with Google doesn't decrease too much with shrinking market share.
I’m still completely baffled that Mozilla spent years working on Servo only to sunset it. Thank goodness the Linux foundation has picked it up. Why on Earth Mozilla has decided to prioritize incorporating some crappy LLM AI model over creating a ground breaking new browser engine is beyond my comprehension.
Mozilla spent years working on Servo only to sunset it
There is a long history of Mozilla sinking time and money into projects that they eventually just drop without ceremony. I'm sure a lot of those have floundered in terms of development, too, but what used to be Mozilla Labs is pretty much a testament to poor follow-through.
Honestly, focusing on the browser and rebranded Mullvad is probably their safest bet until an actual good idea comes by (and AI ain't it).
This is the best summary I could come up with:
A TechCrunch report has a company memo that followed these layoffs, detailing one product shutdown and a "scaling back" of a few others.
reads the very top of the page; it then goes on to detail a lot of projects that aren't in line with Mozilla's core work of making a browser.
These non-browser projects could be seen as a search for a less vulnerable revenue stream, but none have put a huge dent in the bottom line.
TechCrunch managed to get an internal company memo that details a few "strategic corrections" for the myriad Mozilla products.
Mozilla seized an opportunity to bring trustworthy AI into Firefox, largely driven by the Fakespot acquisition and the product integration work that followed.
Mozilla paid an undisclosed sum in 2023 to buy a company called Fakespot, which uses AI to identify fake product reviews.
The original article contains 731 words, the summary contains 140 words. Saved 81%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!
ew
Wow. I remember when I got upset when companies started stuffing cookies into my computer. 'For my benefit.'
Now the only browser I'm willing to use wants to put Deputy Dan into my machine to keep me safe in the carnival of the future.