Key facts
- LibreOffice will not add AI features to its software for the foreseeable future.
- The Document Foundation stated that users' documents should not be uploaded to a server for processing.
- LibreOffice software is used by tens of millions of people and organizations.
- Users can install extensions to connect LibreOffice to local AI models.
- LibreOffice stated that current AI integrations do not meet its requirements for data privacy and avoiding single AI provider reliance.
LibreOffice, the open-source document editor, will not be incorporating artificial intelligence features into its software in the near future, according to a blog post from The Document Foundation. This decision stems from a commitment to user data control and privacy, with the organization emphasizing that documents should not be uploaded to remote servers for processing. The foundation stated that its software, used by millions, is designed to function without a network connection, ensuring users retain control over their confidential, legally privileged, or personal data.
While LibreOffice is not outright rejecting AI, it has not found any current integrations that meet its stringent requirements, which include keeping user data on the device and avoiding dependence on a single AI provider. The organization views this as an assessment of current AI technology rather than a definitive rejection of the sector. Users who wish to utilize AI tools can still do so by installing extensions that connect LibreOffice to local AI models. This stance contrasts with the trend of many software makers integrating AI features, sometimes to the detriment of user experience, a phenomenon some developers have termed the 'enshittification' of modern software.