LibreOffice Highlights Privacy by Avoiding AI in Its Software

LibreOffice: The Conscious Choice for the Absence of AI

In the tech world, where artificial intelligence (AI) has become almost ubiquitous, LibreOffice stands out for taking a different path. If you are looking for a document editor that does not use AI, LibreOffice may be the ideal choice. The Document Foundation, the nonprofit organization behind this open-source software, recently announced that it does not intend to add AI to its software in the near future.

The Deliberate Decision of LibreOffice

The decision to keep LibreOffice free of AI is not a total rejection of the technology, but rather a conscious choice to protect user privacy. Launched at the end of August, the latest version of LibreOffice reaffirms that the software does not have generative AI features. According to the organization, this is a "deliberate design position" to ensure that users' documents are not sent to a server for processing, and that no part of the software requires an internet connection to function.

This approach is especially relevant for organizations that deal with confidential, legally privileged, or personal data. Knowing exactly where your data is and ensuring that it does not leave your device is a security that few software solutions offer these days.

The Resistance to Software "AI-ification"

While many software developers seek to include as much AI as possible, even if it detracts from the user experience, LibreOffice goes against the grain. The trend of overloading software with unnecessary features, such as chatbots and AI assistants, has led some developers to create or include features that block or remove these functionalities.

AI features typically require that user data be sent and processed on a remote server, over which the user has no control regarding data storage or retention duration. LibreOffice, on the other hand, states that there is currently no integration that meets all its requirements, such as ensuring that user data remains on their devices and that there is no dependency on a single AI provider.

LibreOffice's Perspective on AI

The decision not to include AI in LibreOffice is not a definitive rejection of the technology, but rather an assessment of the current state of technology. The organization is open to revisiting this decision in the future as technology evolves. Until then, there will be no AI of any kind in the standard installation of the software. However, for those who wish to integrate AI functionalities, extensions will be available.

LibreOffice continues to be a robust and secure alternative for those looking to escape the dominance of Silicon Valley tech giants. In a world where privacy and control over personal data are increasingly valuable, LibreOffice offers a solution that prioritizes these aspects.

As technology advances, it will be interesting to observe how LibreOffice and other open-source alternatives position themselves regarding AI and user privacy.