LibreOffice has announced that it will not include AI in the default installation in the near future because it wants documents to remain on the device and the software to work without a network connection.
People who want to use AI can still install extensions to connect to local AI models. This lets users choose whether to add AI or keep the traditional workflow.
An Option for People Who Do Not Want AI in Their Office Suite
LibreOffice is suitable for people who want open-source office software without generative AI features in the default installation. Documents are therefore not sent to a server for processing, and the software does not require a network connection.
This is important for organizations handling personal data, confidential information, or legal documents because users retain control over whether data stays on the device, without having to depend on a single AI provider. Anyone who wants to add AI capabilities can install extensions that connect to local AI models.
When Office Software Should Not Send Files Off the Device
When working with confidential data, personal information, or documents subject to legal restrictions, the important questions are not only what the software can do, but also where files are sent for processing and how long they are stored.
LibreOffice has chosen not to include generative AI in the default installation because it believes that verifiable assurance requires data to remain on the device. This approach is therefore suitable for work that requires a clear understanding of the data path, especially when undergoing inspections or audits.
Where LibreOffice Stands in the Era of AI-Integrated Software
LibreOffice is overseen by The Document Foundation, a nonprofit organization, and is an open-source software alternative for people who do not want to be tied to major technology companies.
LibreOffice’s position is not a permanent rejection of AI. For now, however, it has not added AI to the default installation because there is not yet a system that meets its requirements regarding data and dependence on a single provider. Users who want AI features can still install extensions themselves.
From Emphasizing the Absence of AI to Announcing That AI Will Still Not Be Added
The latest LibreOffice version, launched in late August, stated that it did not include generative AI features. The latest position from The Document Foundation is that it will not add AI in the near future. The source does not provide details about earlier versions for a specification-level comparison.
| Factor | Latest LibreOffice version | The Document Foundation’s latest position |
|---|---|---|
| AI status | No generative AI features | Will not add AI in the near future |
| Meaning | Reaffirms the software’s status | Sets the direction of development |
In Practice, Who Does This Position Serve?
People who work with confidential documents, personal data, or legally restricted information can benefit from keeping data on the device because LibreOffice does not send documents to a server for processing.
This position is also suitable for work environments that do not want to depend on a network, since the software does not require an internet connection to function.
For organizations that need to conduct inspections or audits, knowing that documents do not leave the device makes it easier to answer questions about data flows.
People who still want to use AI can install extensions to connect to local AI models without changing LibreOffice’s default installation.
What Other Options Are Available, and How Is LibreOffice Different?
The source discusses open-source and other alternative software in general terms but does not identify specific competitors or provide details about them. Comparisons can therefore cover only concepts supported by the available information.
| Factor | LibreOffice | Open-source and other alternative software |
|---|---|---|
| AI in the default installation | No generative AI | Not specified by the source |
| Network connection | Does not require a network | Not specified by the source |
| AI extensions | Supports extensions that connect to local AI models | Not specified by the source |
LibreOffice’s difference is that it makes “no AI” the default while allowing users to add it themselves through extensions.
Having no AI included from the start means documents do not need to be uploaded to a server for processing, and the software does not need a network connection to function. Users therefore have greater control over data on the device while reducing potentially unnecessary AI features.
Pros
- +Data does not need to leave the device for processing on a server
- +Does not depend on a single AI provider and reduces unnecessary features
Cons
- −Users must install extensions themselves if they want to use AI
- −There is not yet an AI integration that meets all of an organization’s requirements
The Price to Pay in Other Forms
LibreOffice does not include AI in the default installation, so people who want to use these features must install extensions themselves and choose local AI models through extensions that connect to the software.
The cost therefore comes in the form of time and configuration steps, as well as deciding which model to use on the device. Anyone who does not want to manage these aspects must accept having no AI in the software from the outset, which is a clear limitation for people accustomed to software that works out of the box.
Important Questions Before Choosing This Approach
“No AI” in LibreOffice does not mean rejecting the value of AI. Instead, it is a privacy and data-control feature because documents remain on the device and the software does not need a network connection to function.
Before choosing this approach, organizations should ask themselves how important it is to keep data on the device and whether they can accept not depending on a single AI provider. If they want to use AI, they can still install extensions and connect to local AI models as appropriate.