Privacy Focus
If you are looking for a document editor that does not use artificial intelligence, LibreOffice may be the software for you.
The Document Foundation, the nonprofit software maker behind the open source document editor LibreOffice, stated that while it does not reject AI entirely, it will not add AI to its software for the foreseeable future.
This follows the release of the latest version of LibreOffice, in which the nonprofit reiterated that the software contains no generative AI features.
Data Control and Local Processing
LibreOffice described this as a deliberate design position 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 noted that its software is used by tens of millions of people and organizations, emphasizing that users should retain control over their data.
Any organization 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 stated.
Users can still choose to utilize AI tools by installing software extensions that connect the document editor to local AI models.
Industry Context
The decision to eschew built-in AI features contrasts with many software makers currently packing in AI capabilities. Concerns over unnecessary and bloated features, such as chatbots and AI assistants, have prompted some developers to introduce tools that block or remove AI functionalities altogether.
AI tools often require user data to be uploaded and processed on remote servers, leaving users with little control over how the data is stored or for how long.
Future Outlook
LibreOffice stated that there is currently no integration meeting all of its requirements, such as ensuring that user data stays on device and avoiding reliance on a single AI provider. The criteria for including AI is not a definitive rejection, but rather an assessment of the technology today.
Until then, there will be no AI of any kind in the default installation, while extensions remain available for those who wish to integrate AI features, according to the organization.
LibreOffice remains one of several open source and alternative software options utilized to maintain autonomy from major tech platforms.
