Mozilla faces criticism for adding AI features in Firefox that increase CPU usage and drain battery life

Mozilla’s recent release of Firefox 141 has introduced AI-driven tab grouping, which has sparked controversy among users. The feature, which uses a local AI model to identify related tabs and suggest names, has led to significant increases in CPU usage and battery drain, according to several complaints posted on the Firefox subreddit. Users noticed that the ‘Inference’ process, responsible for handling AI tasks locally, is consuming excessive resources. While some privacy-conscious users appreciate the local processing of AI tasks, others argue that the feature is unnecessary and negatively impacts the browser’s performance. The criticism also stems from the growing trend of integrating AI into products, with some users preferring a simpler, more efficient browsing experience without such additions. Fortunately, those who are bothered by these AI features can disable them through Firefox’s advanced settings by modifying specific preferences. Despite the backlash, Mozilla’s move to incorporate AI into Firefox highlights the ongoing trend of AI adoption across various platforms, with companies like Microsoft pushing AI features in their Edge browser as well.