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Canonical’s plan Adding AI features to Ubuntu There are some users asking for a “version of Ubuntu that doesn’t include these features,” while others say they’ll stick with older versions of the Linux distro or even switch to a different version. After Canonical announced earlier this week that it would bring AI features to Ubuntu, responses included requests for… Artificial intelligence “kill switch” Or a way to disable upcoming features and comparisons Microsoft added artificial intelligence features To Windows 11. Canonical’s Vice President of Engineering, John Seager, He responded on Tuesdaynoting that Canonical does not plan to add a “global AI kill switch,” but users will be able to remove any AI features they don’t want.
In his country Original postSeager said upcoming AI features will include accessibility tools like speech-to-text and AI text-to-speech, along with agent AI features for tasks like troubleshooting and automation. Canonical is also encouraging its engineers to use AI more and plans to start introducing AI features in Ubuntu “over the next year.”
In a later comment, Seager explained, “My plan is to offer the AI-powered features as a ‘preview’ on a strictly opt-in basis in (Ubuntu release) 26.10. In subsequent releases, my plan is to take a step into the initial setup wizard that allows the user to choose whether or not they want to enable native AI features.” Ultimately, he said, “All of these capabilities will be delivered as Snaps to the operating system, layered on top of the existing Ubuntu stack. This means there will always be the option to remove those Snaps.”
The ability to remove Snaps for AI features, or choose not to install them initially, may solve some users’ concerns, but those who prefer to avoid AI altogether may end up switching to other distributions, including one of the many Ubuntu-based distributions, such as Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, or Zorin OS. These distros have some similarities to Ubuntu, but may not necessarily embrace the new AI features that Canonical is rolling out.
Artyom Zorin, CEO and lead developer of Zorin OS, said in a statement to Edge That its distribution is “AI agnostic” and that any potential AI features “must adhere to our values of keeping Zorin OS secure and respectful of privacy and performance.”
Some of Ubuntu’s AI features, such as local dictation and speech-to-text conversion, “appear to meet these requirements on paper,” Zorin said. “However, we will review their actual applications when they are available to ensure they meet our standards before considering them for inclusion in Zorin OS by default,” he said.
