Vivaldi Slams Google and Microsoft for Forcing AI into Browsers

The creator of the Vivaldi browser, Jon von Tetzchner, has taken a bold stand against the growing trend of integrating artificial intelligence into web browsers, arguing that it undermines the user experience.

In a sharp critique, Vivaldi’s CEO has called out industry giants Google and Microsoft for embedding AI features like Google’s Gemini in Chrome and the new “Copilot mode” in Microsoft Edge. According to von Tetzchner, these additions erode the “joy of exploration” and foster an over-reliance on AI as a middleman for processing information, raising serious concerns about who controls that data and how it’s monetized.

The Cost of AI Integration

Von Tetzchner’s criticism centers on the belief that AI-driven features, such as content summarization and automated recommendations, strip away the organic process of discovering information online. By prioritizing AI-mediated interactions, browsers risk distancing users from the raw, unfiltered web, potentially limiting their autonomy.

He argues that this shift not only diminishes the user experience but also hands over significant control to tech giants. With companies like Google and Microsoft embedding AI tools like Gemini and Copilot, questions arise about data privacy and the potential for monetizing user behavior through these systems.

Citing research from Pew Research, von Tetzchner points to a noticeable decline in traditional link-clicking as users increasingly rely on AI-generated summaries and overviews. This trend, he warns, could fundamentally alter how people engage with the internet, reducing direct interaction with websites and skewing the flow of information toward AI-curated results.

Vivaldi’s Commitment to User Control

Unlike its competitors, Vivaldi has no plans to integrate chatbots or AI-driven content summarization into its browser — at least not until the technology proves more reliable and user-centric. The company prides itself on offering a highly customizable, privacy-focused browsing experience, and von Tetzchner emphasizes that any future AI implementation would need to align with these values. For now, Vivaldi remains committed to empowering users to explore the web on their own terms, free from the influence of AI intermediaries.

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A Broader Debate

Vivaldi’s stance sparks a broader conversation about the role of AI in shaping the future of the internet. As tech giants race to integrate AI into every facet of their products, critics like von Tetzchner question whether these advancements truly serve users or simply deepen corporate control over digital experiences.

The concerns raised — about privacy, monetization, and the erosion of organic discovery — highlight the need for a balanced approach to innovation.

For now, Vivaldi stands as a defiant outlier, championing user autonomy in an era where AI is increasingly calling the shots. As the debate over AI in browsers intensifies, von Tetzchner’s critique serves as a reminder that technology should enhance, not replace, the human experience of exploring the web.