this post was submitted on 17 Nov 2024
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But their AI helps protect privacy? The main thing it's currently used for is offline private translation that doesn't send data to Google's servers.
The other main AI feature they're working on is AI-generated alt-text for untagged images, so that blind people can better use the web.
I feel like you're doing the classic Lemmy/Reddit thing of seeing the letters "AI" and automatically freaking out, before looking into what they're actually doing. We aren't talking about ChatGPT integration here...
Helping blind people use computers is a good thing.
Private, offline translation is a good thing.
If they had called these features "machine learning" instead of "AI", it would make zero function difference, but you wouldn't be reacting in this manner.
They asked and we think they shouldn't waste money on it and everything they do should be optional and not bundled by default. Why do you think we didn't understand?
People have been asking for translation in Firefox for years, they add it in a way that works well and is completely private, and people cry about it.
It IS optional and it ISN'T bundled by default.
If anything, they're a bit annoying to enable, because you currently have to go into the settings to look for it.
I don't think privacy or usability for blind people is a waste.
Sure, those two are ok, I guess, so long as Firefox doesn't download models before I try using them for the first time. However, I emphatically don't want and wouldn't use and would be miffed if any tl;dring AI plugins weren't optional. Mind you, we're only here discussing this because we were asked about it and now there's people replying as if ours are ludicrously luddite opinions that stand in the way of progress and Mozilla's success.
If everything is an optional component the onboarding process might get pretty overwhelming for the average user
Well, la di fucking dah. You're telling me they have to bundle the solution to make people realize they have problems that fit. I'd just like a lean browser that understands Ublock Origin is its primary concern and focus because it's its main advantage at the moment. Bundle that if you're in a bundling mood.