Mozilla’s new CEO, Anthony Enzor-DeMeo, is betting big on an AI-powered future for Firefox, positioning the browser as a trusted, user-centric alternative in an era of growing technological uncertainty. Taking the helm after nearly a year leading Firefox’s development, Enzor-DeMeo sees a critical opening: as AI reshapes the digital landscape, users are increasingly wary of data privacy and corporate control. “I think what’s actually needed now is a technology company that people can trust,” he says, pointing to a widespread erosion of trust in AI systems. While Mozilla won’t be training its own large language models anytime soon, the company is rolling out an AI Mode for Firefox in 2025. This feature will give users a choice of models—both open-source and private, cloud-hosted options, including some from major AI players like Google, Anthropic, and OpenAI, though Enzor-DeMeo stopped short of naming them. The key differentiator, he emphasizes, is neutrality. “We’re not incentivized to push one model or the other,” he says. “So we’re going to try to go to market with multiple models.” Enzor-DeMeo’s leadership reflects Mozilla’s core mission: building a browser that embodies privacy, openness, and user control. Firefox remains the company’s foundation—its most visible product, primary revenue source (largely through Google’s default search deal), and the platform where Mozilla’s values come to life. Despite years of restructuring and layoffs, Firefox is seeing steady growth, particularly on mobile, with 200 million monthly users. While far behind Chrome’s dominance, this user base gives Mozilla meaningful scale and a platform to innovate. Looking ahead, new Mozilla products will likely be tied to Firefox. The company plans to bring its VPN service and privacy tool Monitor directly into the browser, aiming to drive subscriptions. Enzor-DeMeo also acknowledges the need for revenue diversification beyond Google, but he doesn’t believe that means abandoning the browser. Instead, he sees potential in advertising, subscriptions, and strategic partnerships—without compromising Mozilla’s mission. He’s cautious about aggressive monetization tactics, like blocking ad blockers, which he estimates could bring in $150 million but would feel “off-mission.” For Enzor-DeMeo, trust is non-negotiable. “When I have a Mozilla product, I always know my data is in my control. I can turn the thing off, and they’re not going to do anything sketchy,” he says. That promise, he believes, is more valuable than ever. In a world where AI is increasingly opaque and centralized, Enzor-DeMeo sees Firefox not just as a browser, but as a vehicle for a more open, transparent, and user-owned web. “There is something to be said for that,” he says. “And that’s what I hope to do.”