LibreOffice Says No to AI: Your Documents Stay Private

LibreOffice, a popular free and open-source document editor, has declared that it will not include any artificial intelligence features in its software for the foreseeable future. The Document Foundation, the nonprofit behind LibreOffice, explained in a blog post that this is a deliberate choice to protect user privacy. Unlike many modern software tools that use AI to help write or edit, LibreOffice will keep your documents on your device, not on a remote server. This means your sensitive information—like legal contracts, personal letters, or business plans—never leaves your computer unless you choose to share it.

This decision goes against the trend of many tech companies adding AI to everything, from chat assistants to auto-complete. While AI can be helpful, it often requires uploading your data to the cloud, where you lose control over how it's stored or used. LibreOffice's stance is a win for privacy-conscious users and organizations that handle confidential data. The foundation says it's not rejecting AI forever, but current AI integrations don't meet its strict requirements for data security and independence from single providers.

For now, if you want AI in LibreOffice, you can install extensions that connect to local AI models. But by default, the software remains AI-free. This move highlights a growing divide in tech: some push for AI everywhere, while others prioritize user control. LibreOffice, used by tens of millions, shows that you don't have to sacrifice privacy for productivity. It's a reminder that free software can offer a safer alternative to big tech's AI-driven tools.