Mozilla adds AI Window to Firefox, enabling chat with browser assistant
When I first saw the “shake to summarize” trick in September, just a flick of the wrist and an AI-powered snippet of the page, I wondered if Firefox might need something more chat-like. Turns out Mozilla is testing exactly that. A tiny button now lives next to the address bar; click it and a pane slides out, letting you type or even speak a question.
The idea is you get answers without hopping to another tab. It can pull bits from the site you’re on, spin up a quick draft, or explain a term on the spot. It feels less like a static sidebar and more like a little helper that sticks around.
Of course, Mozilla has always pushed open standards and privacy, so tossing generative AI into the mix raises a few eyebrows about data handling and how much control users really have. Still, it seems the company is willing to tinker with AI-heavy features that might end up changing the way we browse.
Mozilla announces an AI 'window' for Firefox.
Mozilla announces an AI 'window' for Firefox You will be able to chat with the browser's AI assistant in the new AI Window. You will be able to chat with the browser's AI assistant in the new AI Window. In September, the company launched a "shake to summarize" feature in Firefox that uses AI to generate summaries of webpages that are open on your iPhone.
Mozilla positions itself as the respectful browsing company that gives users the option to use as much AI as they want. "While others are building AI experiences that keep you locked in a conversational loop, we see a different path -- one where AI serves as a trusted companion, enhancing your browsing experience and guiding you outward to the broader web," Mozilla wrote on its company blog. AI Window will be one of three browsing experiences offered to Firefox users in addition to the private and classic windows.
Mozilla is rolling out an AI Window that you can turn on if you want. It’s basically a little pane inside Firefox where a built-in assistant lives, letting you type or chat without opening a new tab. The idea came from community feedback after the shake-to-summarize feature launched in September, which already gives short AI-generated blurbs.
How the new assistant will actually talk to your other tabs, or what it remembers, is still pretty vague. Mozilla says they’re keeping things independent, yet it’s not clear how much they’ll lean on third-party models. Because it’s opt-in, they’re probably gauging how users react before making it default.
Some folks might like having a quick-question buddy right there; others will wonder if the convenience is worth any privacy cost. So far we haven’t seen numbers on speed, accuracy or resource use. As the team tweaks the feature, user feedback will shape what lands in the final build.
Whether the AI Window ends up as a regular part of my browsing routine? That’s still anyone’s guess.
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Common Questions Answered
What is the purpose of the new AI Window in Firefox?
The AI Window provides a dedicated pane beside the address bar where users can type or speak queries to a built‑in browser assistant. It enables conversational interactions without leaving the current webpage, extending Firefox’s AI capabilities beyond simple summarization.
How does the AI Window differ from Firefox's earlier 'shake to summarize' feature?
While 'shake to summarize' generates brief overviews of page content when users shake their iPhone, the AI Window allows ongoing, two‑way conversations with the assistant. It offers a persistent, opt‑in space for queries, whereas the earlier tool was a one‑time summarization trigger.
Is the AI Window in Firefox optional for users, and how is it controlled?
Yes, the AI Window is an opt‑in, user‑controlled feature that users can enable or disable according to their preferences. Mozilla emphasizes that the assistant operates in a space where users decide how much AI assistance they want to employ.
What information is currently unclear about the AI assistant's integration with Firefox tabs?
The announcement does not specify how the assistant will interact with existing tabs or what data it retains from user sessions. Details about data handling, cross‑tab context, and privacy safeguards remain sparse at this stage.