LibreOffice Says 'No AI' Is Now a Software Feature

The organization said in a blog post that while it does not reject AI out of hand, it “will not add” AI to LibreOffice for the foreseeable future. The post followed the late-August release of the latest version, in which the nonprofit reiterated that the software “contains no generative AI features.”

LibreOffice said at the time that this was a “deliberate design position” intended to ensure that users’ documents are not uploaded to a server for processing and that no part of the software requires a network connection to function. The nonprofit added that its software is used by tens of millions of people and organizations, and that users should retain control over their data.

“Any organisation handling confidential, legally privileged or personal data needs to know where that data goes, and the only assurance that survives an audit is that it does not leave the machine,” the organization said, according to TechCrunch.

LibreOffice users can still choose to use AI tools by installing software extensions that connect the document editor to local AI models, the organization said. But the default installation will not include AI of any kind for now.

TechCrunch noted that the decision bucks the trend of many software makers today that try to pack in as much AI as possible, even to the detriment of the user experience. The practice of loading modern software with unnecessary and bloated features, such as chatbots and AI assistants, has prompted some developers to create or include features that block or remove AI features altogether.

AI tools often require users’ data to be uploaded and processed on a remote server, where the user has no control over how the data is stored or for how long. LibreOffice said there is currently “no integration” that meets all of its requirements, such as ensuring that users’ data stays on their device and avoiding reliance on a single AI provider, among other considerations.

The organization said its criteria for including AI are not a “definitive rejection.” It described the decision as an assessment of the technology today rather than a “judgement on the value of the sector.” “Until then, there will be no AI of any kind in the default installation; extensions will be available for those who wish to integrate AI features, and we will closely monitor where the technology is actually heading,” LibreOffice said in the blog post.

LibreOffice is one of many open-source and alternative software options used by people and organizations seeking to avoid dependence on Silicon Valley technology giants.