this post was submitted on 17 Feb 2024
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Mozilla lays off 60 people, wants to build AI into Firefox (arstechnica.com)
submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Seems Vivaldi is the only bigger named browser that's come out against adding AI. Where do you think Mozilla could focus its attention to increase revenue if not where the industry is headed?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

I really don't think there's any viable business model for Mozilla. Browser development is too expensive and no one pays for a browser. Google finances itself through ads, Microsoft isn't even developing their own engine anymore and sells it as part of their whole OS anyway.

Other browsers are irrelevant because they are mostly a new UI on top of Chromium.

Donations won't ever be enough unless some billionaire sees internet freedom as important or countries start to see an open web as a part of public infrastructure. Both are highly unlikely, so hopefully the deal with Google doesn't decrease too much with shrinking market share.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I’m still completely baffled that Mozilla spent years working on Servo only to sunset it. Thank goodness the Linux foundation has picked it up. Why on Earth Mozilla has decided to prioritize incorporating some crappy LLM AI model over creating a ground breaking new browser engine is beyond my comprehension.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

Mozilla spent years working on Servo only to sunset it

There is a long history of Mozilla sinking time and money into projects that they eventually just drop without ceremony. I'm sure a lot of those have floundered in terms of development, too, but what used to be Mozilla Labs is pretty much a testament to poor follow-through.

Honestly, focusing on the browser and rebranded Mullvad is probably their safest bet until an actual good idea comes by (and AI ain't it).