Firefox maker torches Google for building Prompt API into browser
Mozilla has expressed opposition to Google's integration of the Prompt API into Chrome, arguing it could harm web interoperability and neutrality. The API allows websites to interact with locally hosted AI models like Google's Gemini Nano, enabling on-device AI processing. Mozilla contends that embedding such AI capabilities directly into browsers may undermine open web standards despite potential performance and cost benefits.
- ▪Mozilla opposes Google's Prompt API, citing risks to web interoperability, updatability, and neutrality.
- ▪The Prompt API enables web pages to send prompts to a browser-provided local language model, such as Google's Gemini Nano.
- ▪Gemini Nano requires significant storage, with the desktop version taking up approximately 4.27 GB.
- ▪Web developers can already access AI models via cloud APIs or local technologies like WASM and WebGPU.
- ▪Mozilla is developing its own AI features for Firefox, including an AI-powered Smart Window and model scaffolding tools.
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AI + ML Firefox maker torches Google for building Prompt API into browser Mozilla fears wiring an AI API into Chrome will make the web less open Thomas Claburn Thu 30 Apr 2026 // 20:49 UTC Mozilla has reiterated its opposition to Google's decision to build AI plumbing into its Chrome browser, though rather belatedly now that the technology, known as the Prompt API, is already being tested in Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Jake Archibald, Mozilla web developer relations lead, articulated the org’s concerns in a GitHub discussion of the API, which provides a standard way to send and receive prompts and responses from a local machine learning model.
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