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LibreOffice says it will not add AI for the foreseeable future, to keep users' documents on their own computers
According to TechCrunch, The Document Foundation, the nonprofit behind the open-source document editor LibreOffice, says it will not add AI to the software for the foreseeable future, so that documents are not uploaded to a server for processing. This matters to people and organizations that care about data privacy. Anyone who wants AI can still install extensions that connect to local AI models.
About 5 min read
What happened
According to TechCrunch, The Document Foundation is the nonprofit software maker behind LibreOffice, an open-source document editor. Open source means the program's code is public, so anyone can inspect and modify it. This week the organization said in a blog post that it does not reject AI out of hand, but it "will not add" AI to its software for the foreseeable future.
TechCrunch noted that the post came weeks after LibreOffice released its latest version in late August. At that time, the organization had already reiterated that the software "contains no generative AI features." Generative AI is AI that automatically produces content such as text or images. Chatbots are one example.
LibreOffice's reasoning
According to TechCrunch, LibreOffice described this as a "deliberate design position". The goal is 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 organization also said its software is used by tens of millions of people and organizations, and that users should keep control over their data.
TechCrunch quoted the organization: "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."
According to the report, LibreOffice said there is currently "no integration" that meets all of its requirements. These include keeping users' data on their device and not relying on a single AI provider. The organization said its position is not a "definitive rejection". It is an assessment of the technology today rather than a "judgement on the value of the sector."
How the default installation differs from extensions
The "default installation" means LibreOffice as you download and install it, with nothing added. "Extensions" are add-on modules that users can choose to install separately. A "local AI model" is AI that runs on your own computer rather than on a remote server.
| Aspect | LibreOffice default installation | Via extensions | Typical cloud AI tools (as described by TechCrunch) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Includes AI? | Reportedly contains no AI | Users can choose to add it | Built around AI features |
| Where data is processed | Documents are not uploaded to servers for processing | Connects to local AI models | Often uploaded to remote servers for processing |
| Data control | The organization stresses user control | Reportedly focused on local models | Users often cannot control how data is stored or for how long |
TechCrunch quoted LibreOffice's blog post: "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."
What it means for everyday users
TechCrunch wrote that the decision bucks the trend of many software makers that try to pack in as much AI as possible. It noted that some developers have created features that block or remove AI features. TechCrunch also wrote that AI tools often require users' data to be uploaded and processed on a remote server, where users have no control over how the data is stored or for how long.
For general readers, the news offers one way to think about AI in office software: AI features may mean your document contents leave your own computer. This article only summarizes the reporting and does not constitute advice on choosing any software.
FAQ
Is LibreOffice rejecting AI completely?
According to TechCrunch, no. The organization said it does not reject AI out of hand. It called its position not a "definitive rejection" but an assessment of the technology today. For the foreseeable future, though, the default installation will not include AI.
What if I want to use AI in LibreOffice?
According to TechCrunch, LibreOffice said users can install extensions that connect the document editor to local AI models.
Why doesn't LibreOffice build in AI?
According to TechCrunch, the organization wants documents not to be uploaded to a server for processing and the software to work without a network connection, so users keep control of their data. It also said no integration currently meets all of its requirements, such as keeping data on the device and not relying on a single AI provider.
When was this position announced?
TechCrunch reported on 2026-10-06 that the organization set it out in a blog post that week. With its latest version, released in late August, the organization had already reiterated that the software contains no generative AI features.
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