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+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'Like the original mozilla.org, today’s Mozilla can only succeed if we see our efforts as a small part of a bigger constellation — a collective force that is building something truly different than what the big tech players have created.' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + Over the last few years, many people have said to me: “I don’t understand what Mozilla is today. What do you stand for? What are you working on?” It’s clear that people really care about Mozilla — and that they’re feeling confused about where we’re headed. +
+ ++ This confusion is understandable. Mozilla is in the midst of reinventing itself, and reinvention is messy. That’s why I want to use this report to slow down and explain why we’re doing this, what we’re building, and how it’s in service of the same core mission we’ve had since day one. +
+ ++ The TLDR: Mozilla stands for putting people and communities in control of how technology shows up in their lives. In 1998, that meant taking the web in a better direction. In 2024, it means doing the same for AI, and making sure that open source wins again in the AI era. +
+ ++ Why? Because data and AI have become fundamental building blocks with which we create the digital tools we all use everyday. And, as it was with the web 25 years ago, whoever controls these building blocks — and how they work — has a tremendous impact on our agency, our relationships, and our lives. +
+ ++ Two years ago, we outlined a vision for Mozilla’s next chapter. You’ll see many of the themes we’ve been talking about since then appear again here. A focus on open and trustworthy AI. Diversification of our revenue streams. Improving Firefox and Thunderbird. And rejuvenating leadership teams and boards. As I hope you’ll see in this report, we’re making progress — and we’re looking openly at the challenges we need to work through to succeed. +
+ ++ One key challenge: delivering on the promise of existing products while also moving into new spaces like open source AI. The original Mozilla Project offers a model for tackling a challenge like this: organize yourself as a loose constellation of projects with a common goal. We’ve begun to expand Mozilla from being a movement organization that runs a browser company into a powerful collection of responsible tech companies, public interest organizations, and community projects. This evolving constellation is bound by a shared commitment to making the values of the Mozilla Manifesto work in the AI era. +
++ In the late 1990s, the seeds of what we today call big tech were being sown. Microsoft had set itself up to monopolize how people accessed the web — and how the web worked. Mozilla was founded as a counterpoint: to create a browser based on open source and open standards. +
+ ++ In this setting, the original Mozilla.org team saw its mission as one of “coordinating and integrating the work of others.” The idea was that 1+1 could equal 3 — and that many people, many projects and many angles of approach would be necessary to create a successful open source browser. +
+ ++ Eventually, a number of pieces from across the Mozilla Project came together to become Firefox (this took 5 years!). And the Project helped to build a rebel alliance of open source projects that aimed to break Microsoft’s grip on the web. As Firefox, Linux, and other projects gathered steam, open source won. The dynamics of who controlled the web shifted, at least for a time. +
+ ++ This original constellation remains today, but it is evolving as we explore how Mozilla can play a role in shaping the future of technology. Practically, this means striking a balance between stability and evolution in Firefox and Thunderbird. This includes doubling down on what people already love in these products, with a stronger emphasis on mobile. With Firefox, it also means wrestling with tough and important questions at the core of making and funding a browser project in the current era. How do we use data to create rich online experiences (which we’ve all come to love) in ways that hold true to our values? How do we change digital advertising — which directly or indirectly funds most browsers and much of the web — so that it works in a way that respects us and our data? How do we build AI into the browser in a way that balances privacy, trust and choice? These are tough questions, but we don’t get a seat at the table of the future if we can’t work with our partners and communities to answer them. +
++ As we continue this work, we’re also asking ourselves: can Mozilla build a similar constellation for the AI era? To find out, we’ve taken a number of big steps in the last few years to explore AI while also continuing to invest in our core work on Firefox and Thunderbird. +
+ ++ In 2019, we shifted most of the Mozilla Foundation's philanthropic and advocacy work to focus on trustworthy AI, and ramped it up two years ago. Some of the things we tried didn’t go anywhere. But a few have legs. For example, the Common Voice project has shown that a global community can build training data sets that make AI more inclusive and reflective of the people who use it. And, the Responsible Computing Challenge has gathered over 36,000 faculty members, professors and students across three continents to demonstrate that human values and computer science can be taught side-by-side in the same classroom. More importantly: We learned that tackling AI with a Mozilla mindset was possible — and that the Foundation has a chance to continually evolve itself as a vanguard for this work. +
+ ++ Based on this early learning, we decided to add two brand new organizations to the Mozilla portfolio that could focus on trustworthy AI from the ground up — a venture firm to back startups building products aligned with the Mozilla Manifesto, and our own startup aimed at helping the open source AI community reach a larger audience of developers. These new organizations are important in their own right, with Mozilla Ventures having already invested in 45 companies that are building products that could one day become the next Firefox or the next Linux. But these efforts are also part of our overall reinvention thesis: We need a diversity of projects, organizations, leaders, communities, cultures, and business models if we want to succeed in shaping the direction of AI. Big companies tend to reinvent themselves by consolidating. Our approach is to fan out, find allies, and look for cracks in the system. +
+ ++ What are the results of this work so far? We’ve started to become something closer to a Mozilla.org for the current era — grounded in our roots, but with a growing mosaic of companies, programs, and projects doing for AI what we did for the web. We’ve faced challenges. We don’t yet have a real product — or a meaningful enough foothold — in the AI space. There are tensions between how we’ve always done things (e.g., minimize the use of data) and the things we urgently need to do now (e.g., work with data as a building block of new tech and new products). And, there is not yet a clear path to an economic model for this next era. +
++ Mozilla has always had a unique economic model — one that combines the economics of movements with the economics of markets. +
+ ++ The seeds of this model began with open source code from a commercial browser (markets) and a community of people around the world who turned that code into something that challenged the world’s biggest software company (movements). And, from early on, it included donations from tens of thousands of supporters (movements) and, then, royalties from search agreements with companies like Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft (markets). +
+ ++ This odd combination of economic models still exists today. Firefox, Thunderbird, and Common Voice are still driven in part by contributors and volunteers. Last year, Mozilla Corporation generated more than $500 million in revenue which allows us to sustain Firefox and invest in community projects like Llamafile and the Responsible Computing Challenge. This year, over 400,000 people will donate more than $14 million to the Mozilla Foundation and Thunderbird. The combined scale and diversity of this revenue is what allows Mozilla to play the long game of building technology in the public interest. +
+ ++ As we look to the future, it’s clear that we need to continue to further diversify this economic model — both to create new revenue sources and new kinds of impact, especially around AI and associated data-driven technologies. With this in mind we’re exploring privacy-respecting advertising technology — ads in Firefox and an industry platform that enables advertisers to show relevant ads while keeping user data completely private. If we can succeed here, we can not only supplement our search revenue, but also have a chance to reshape how digital advertising works. Similarly, we’re exploring venture investing with the aim of helping startups build successful responsible AI and tech businesses — and with the hope that we can generate returns that can support Mozilla’s mission over the long term. +
+ ++ Evolving our economics is one of the hardest parts of becoming a new version of ourselves — and also one of the most critical. +
++ The next step in this process is … to take another step. And another. There is no magic switch to flip. Reinventing yourself is step-by-step work. +
+ ++ An essential step is describing what winning looks like in this era. For Mozilla, it goes back to our fundamental mission of putting people and communities in control of how technology shows up in their lives. Today, this means creating a world where anyone and any community can shape, enjoy and trust AI. After much deliberation, we’ve agreed that this is the north star for the work we need to do over the next few years. +
+ ++ Another step is mapping out the work to be done. Part of this work is reinventing how we want to interact with the internet — and each other — in the AI era. Asking questions like: what comes after the browser? How do we want that to work? Another is creating public interest alternatives to the AI being built by the big commercial players, just like public broadcasting was an alternative to the major networks in the television era. A third — and possibly the most important — part of this work is making sure that open source wins. Open source and open standards played a central role in shifting power dynamics on the web 20 years ago. While the power map is much more complex today with AI, it is critical that open source wins again. +
+ ++ Finally, we need to make sure we have the right team in place — and that the roles of each player on the team are clear. The role of Firefox and Thunderbird is to keep us stable and grounded in our roots, thoughtfully exploring the technologies of today while keeping the promises we’ve made over the last 25 years. The role of Mozilla.ai, Mozilla Ventures and the Mozilla Foundation is to move fast and experiment vigorously with ways to bend the trajectory of AI towards the vision outlined in the Mozilla Manifesto. And, the role of all of us in the organizations that make up Mozilla’s core portfolio is to find, connect, support and integrate the work of others who share our cause. +
+ ++ Like the original mozilla.org, today’s Mozilla can only succeed if we see our efforts as a small part of a bigger constellation — a collective force that is building something truly different than what the big tech players have created. Something that all of us can shape and have ownership over. Getting back to seeing ourselves in this way isn’t easy. Yet, it is exactly what we need to do. +
+ }})
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+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'As part of Mozilla’s 25-year-long dedication to ensuring a healthy, safe and trustworthy internet for all, we have learned that when you’re part of a technology movement designed to change society for the better, results don’t happen overnight. ' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + As part of Mozilla’s 25-year-long dedication to ensuring a healthy, safe and trustworthy internet for all, we have learned that when you’re part of a technology movement designed to change society for the better, results don’t happen overnight. In reflecting back on this past year, it can be easy to focus on the challenges and how much work is still ahead. +
+ ++ We learned this when we built Firefox as an alternative to bigger, more dominant players in the web browser market. We saw an opportunity to provide a more trustworthy, privacy-protecting browser based on open source software and robust community engagement. Open source remains one of the most powerful tools for transparency and collaboration, but scaling it to meet today’s challenges is a complex and ongoing process. We know this work isn’t easy. It’s iterative, collaborative, and sometimes messy — but it’s essential to creating a better digital future. +
+ ++ We’re pushing to make Firefox not just intuitive, but a browser that leads by example in user empowerment and privacy — a vision that’s evolving with each step forward. Firefox empowers users with tools that prioritize privacy, choice, and usability while adapting to the evolving web with AI advancements and assistive technologies. As a leader in advocating for an open, accessible internet, we are committed to building a browser you can trust — one that protects your data and puts you in control. +
+ ++ As a complement to Firefox, we have increased our attention on advertising – the business model of the web. This year we acquired Anonym, a platform that enables advertisers and platforms to provide relevant ads without tracking users or seeing data linked to specific individuals. We’re also internally testing technology dubbed Privacy-Preserving Attribution (PPA) that uses cryptographic techniques to maintain the privacy of users while enabling advertisers to see aggregated data on ad performance. The advertising industry isn’t going anywhere. Our goal is to offer a privacy-preserving alternative. +
+ ++ We’re always exploring ways to join with other practitioners to broaden the open source ethos and practices within the larger technology world. Artificial intelligence is in our scope and we’ve made some progress with that in the past year, but we’re only getting started. +
++ This is a big moment for open source and many of our experiences from the past are relevant. There’s a power imbalance in the AI industry, much like there was in the software world of the 1990s. A few big companies control the technologies in a market that is nearly impossible to break into without significant financial and other resources for computing power. AI systems today are black boxes, and we don’t know what the systems are doing and how they are making decisions. We’ve seen how closed systems, based on secrecy, are not better for people’s safety and security online, and AI is no different — in fact it’s less trustworthy with greater consequences. +
+ ++ Closed AI systems not only make it hard to evaluate and trust them, but also mean fewer developers are able to participate in building AI applications of their own, greatly deterring innovation. Open source and free software are about freedom, access and the ability to collaborate and create the online world we all want. +
++ Mozilla is actively working for more open source standards and community. We explored the progress the industry has made in our Trustworthy AI Report and partnered with others to call for standards ahead of the Open Source Initiative (OSI)’s creation of the first Open Source AI definition. We’re empowering developers with our Responsible Computing Challenge and funding startups through Mozilla Ventures, the Mozilla Technology Fund and the Data Futures Lab. +
+ ++ Looking to the year ahead, I want us to do more and do it faster. We will continue to bring open source products to market, protect user privacy and support open source AI development. My current sabbatical will continue through part of next year, and I am eager to see all that happens at Mozilla during this time. +
+ }})
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+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'This ability to combine different economic models is one of the things that makes Mozilla special, enabling us to collaborate with people and communities across a wide range of mission-oriented projects.' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + Mozilla has shifted much of its philanthropic and advocacy work toward AI, experimenting with different approaches and learning what it takes to make a real impact. Early successes like the Common Voice project and the Responsible Computing Challenge proved that building more inclusive, values-driven AI is possible. This led Mozilla to launch new organizations and invest in startups aligned with its mission, all to shape the future of AI through diverse ideas, communities, and business models. We’re two years into a reinvention and focused on diversifying our offerings and revenue in the face of pressure in the browser market and potential revenue loss to Firefox. +
+ ++ In the past, Mozilla had two primary components: a nonprofit advocacy org and a browser company. More recently, we have become a portfolio of five organizations and companies under the Mozilla umbrella: Mozilla Foundation, Mozilla Corporation, Mozilla Ventures, Mozilla.ai, and MZLA. Each is committed to actualizing the values of the Mozilla Manifesto, with a north star of ensuring that everyone can shape, enjoy, and trust AI. We’re reinventing Mozilla and making some big bets to stay relevant in the AI era and diversify our revenue. This is necessary for us to continue to be able to invest in and work with the open source community and guarantee that open source AI wins. +
++ Mozilla has a unique financial model. The Mozilla Foundation, the sole owner of the Mozilla Corporation, enables us to prioritize internet users’ welfare over profit-driven motives. We were born from David and Goliath economics — and have had many sources of income over the years. Initially, Mozilla existed on the labor, code and goodwill of the developers collaborating on an open source alternative to Microsoft Internet Explorer. Firefox, Thunderbird, and the Common Voice AI project are partly driven by contributors and volunteers. After Mozilla Foundation was formed, our work supporting open source efforts was funded by community donations. +
+ ++ As Mozilla has grown as a product organization, the requirement to fund our technical operations has meant an increased need for sources of revenue. Recently, the majority of this revenue has come in the form of commercial search partnerships. This money allowed us to sustain Firefox as a public benefit alternative to the major browsers. +
+ ++ This ability to combine different economic models is one of the things that makes Mozilla special, enabling us to collaborate with people and communities across a wide range of mission-oriented projects. But we need to diversify, not only to ensure a robust financial picture, but to be able to expand our ecosystem to support different markets and attract additional funding. As part of this diversification, we are making a number of big bets to bring fresh perspectives and help drive growth. +
+ ++ To make sense of our finances, it’s important to understand that we are a mission-driven organization. We are building sustainable products and supporting an open source ecosystem that is building technology designed to improve people’s lives and ensure a healthy internet. For us success isn’t just about balancing the books — it’s about ensuring that each piece of the portfolio progresses toward the collective goals. Here are business updates for each. +
+ + {{ resp_img( + url='img/foundation/annualreport/2024/articles/1-2-financial-diagram-800.png', + srcset={ + 'img/foundation/annualreport/2024/articles/1-2-financial-diagram-600.png': '600w', + 'img/foundation/annualreport/2024/articles/1-2-financial-diagram-800.png': '800w', + 'img/foundation/annualreport/2024/articles/1-2-financial-diagram-1000.png': '1000w', + 'img/foundation/annualreport/2024/articles/1-2-financial-diagram-1200.png': '1200w', + 'img/foundation/annualreport/2024/articles/1-2-financial-diagram-1500.png': '1500w', + }, + sizes={ + '(min-width: 1440px)': '680px', + '(min-width: 586px)': '66vw', + 'default': 'calc(100vw - 48px)' + }, + optional_attributes={ + 'alt': 'A diagram illustrating Mozilla’s funding and organizational structure. Donations fund the Mozilla Foundation. Search and other revenue fund various entities, including the Mozilla Corporation, MZLA, Mozilla Ventures, and Mozilla.ai. Royalties from these entities flow back to the Mozilla Foundation, supporting innovation and impact.', + 'class': 'm24-c-ar-article-inline-image', + 'height': '468', + 'loading': 'lazy', + 'width': '680' + }, + ) }} ++ As a non-profit organization, Mozilla Foundation (MoFo) works with a broad movement of people, projects and organizations to protect and improve the internet as a public resource. In FY23, MoFo invested $26 million into three main program areas. $17.2 million went towards leadership development through grantmaking, supporting fellows and awardees working at the intersection of AI and climate justice, public policy, ethics, art and a range of other topics. We allocated $6.2 million towards movement building, investing in campaigns and our signature MozFest events. We also invested $2.6 million in agenda-setting, supporting research on issues at the intersection of technology and society, and propelling them into public conversation. All of this tied back to the Foundation’s overall focus on trustworthy AI. +
+ ++ In 2023, revenue included $7.8M in donations from the public, grants from foundations, and government funding, as well as $18.6 million in royalties from the Corporation and other Mozilla entities, which was reinvested into the Foundation’s charitable programs. The Foundation’s financial outlook under new Executive Director, Nabiha Syed, is strong, with grassroots fundraising growing and a new strategy for the future underway. +
++ Mozilla Corporation (MoCo) experienced a year-over-year decline in revenue, driven primarily by a decline in royalties from search partners tied to the non-renewal of distribution deals and a decline in display advertising related to over-reliance on certain industry verticals that experienced weakness in the second half of the year. Operating costs increased, driven by execution of its annual investment plan: +
+ ++ These trends at Mozilla Corporation led to a substantial drop in EBITDA in 2023, which reinforced the need for a realignment of its long-term strategic plan. +
++ This realignment began with a corporate restructuring in the first quarter of 2024 aimed primarily at exiting businesses unrelated to the future plan (Mozilla Social and Hubs); right-sizing investments in Firefox-adjacent businesses; and creating room to support early successes in generative AI products, such as Llamafile. Mozilla Corporation anticipates that its 2024 financial results will reflect another year of heavy investment as the company is set up for future growth of its diversified revenue streams. The revised strategic plan, adopted midyear in 2024 for 2025 and beyond, is focused on strategic growth and sustainability: +
+ ++ In short, Mozilla is strategically reorienting its operations, focusing on core product improvements, pioneering privacy-first advertising, and investing in responsible AI solutions, all to ensure sustainable growth and a more resilient future. +
++ We created Mozilla Ventures in 2022 with the goal of expanding our constellation by investing in the kind of companies creating technology and products aligned with the Mozilla Manifesto. Mozilla is the sole partner in this first fund, with a fund size of $35 million. To date, the fund has invested in 45 companies, deploying $12.7 million in capital for an average check size of ~$275k. It has invested across four continents in companies ranging from pre-seed stage to Series D. +
++ MZLA achieved significant fundraising success, securing $8.6 million from Thunderbird users who support our mission to provide open source email and productivity apps that are secure, private and free for users around the world. 2023 was a year of significant investment into our team and our infrastructure, designed to ensure the long-term stability and continued sustainability of Thunderbird. +
++ Launched in March 2023, we have committed $30M to create Mozilla.ai, a startup with a goal of making open source AI popular and successful with developers and hobbyists. The company is still in an early, pre-revenue stage of recruiting talent and developing exploratory projects. +
++ At the end of 2022, Mozilla changed our strategy for managing our financial reserves. In prior years we took a purely defensive approach, investing solely in highly liquid fixed-income securities. Our revised approach is focused on delivering a total return to Mozilla after inflation, while maintaining sufficient liquid reserves to weather economic pressures and seize growth opportunities. Investment results from this revised strategy were a robust contributor to our bottom line in 2023, and we anticipate they will contribute strongly to our 2024 financials as well. +
++ Mozilla’s financial story is one of deliberate investment and mission-driven strategy. While FY23 brought challenges, our thoughtful approach to managing resources and aligning investments has positioned us for sustainable growth. By broadening our focus to include all entities in the Mozilla ecosystem, we are ensuring a comprehensive approach to financial stability that supports our vision of a better internet. +
+ ++ The road ahead is complex, but with careful planning, bold investments, and the support of our community, Mozilla is ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow while staying true to our mission of creating an internet that prioritizes people over profit. +
+ }})
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+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'By rising to the new challenges across the tech industry, Mozilla can inspire a path forward and continue to show that technology can serve good without sacrificing users’ personal data.' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + The tech landscape has changed significantly since Mozilla’s founding. What the world needs from us today is different from back then, but no less important. People deserve choice and agency over the way they engage with the internet, even more so now with AI in the picture. +
+ ++ The current moment is an opportunity and a challenge for us. Our legacy is focused on building an open internet and prioritizing user privacy and safety. That work continues. But to stay relevant in the age of AI we need to evolve. We embarked on a journey of transformation two years ago and while we’ve made progress, we have much more to do. This includes making our organization about more than our browser Firefox. While it remains a critical driver of our success, we have also built a portfolio of organizations including Mozilla.ai and Mozilla Ventures. +
+ ++ Every reinvention has growing pains. We’ve experimented with new approaches and have had to make some tough calls, but we’re making operational changes designed to help us grow the organization and diversify our portfolio of products, projects and programs, and our revenue stream. To accomplish that, we’re shifting priorities, restructuring, and taking smart bets, while remaining grounded in our core values. Here are our primary initiatives that we see driving growth and opportunity: +
++ Mozilla is positioned to be an effective force in shaping the AI future, but our vision isn’t just about competing with other tech companies. We want to nurture an AI ecosystem that amplifies creativity, enhances safety, and respects users and their choices. This involves collaborating with and supporting open source and local AI communities to create viable alternatives to existing proprietary software. We’re doing this in several ways: Mozilla Ventures is investing in startups creating the AI applications of the future, and Mozilla.ai is building tools that open source developers are using to create new AI technology. +
+ ++ Creating this open community will also enable AI safety and security solutions, plus exploring future ideas for us at Mozilla. Our goal is to partner with communities to address future waves of vulnerabilities and trust issues created by generative AI, and promote accountability and safety in AI systems. We are building AI features for Firefox and helping users build websites from scratch with Solo. +
+ ++ We are taking deliberate steps to ensure generative AI evolves safely, equitably, and transparently. Through initiatives like Project 0din, we’re working to identify and fix vulnerabilities within AI models, bolstering their security and reliability. +
+ ++ We’re also working to address trust & safety and security issues that can arise with the use of generative AI, more broadly across Mozilla. +
++ One emerging area of focus for us will be in the advertising space. The global digital advertising market, forecast to exceed $670 billion annually in 2024, is currently not driven by user choice and transparency. Mozilla is uniquely equipped to challenge this system with a model that respects privacy while proving commercial viability. People deserve a better model. There are better ways for companies to advertise products effectively without conceding privacy. We plan to set the standard for that. Disrupting an entire industry like advertising will take years, but that's a bet we're comfortable taking. +
+ ++ Mozilla acquired Anonym, which is a platform that enables advertisers and ad platforms to serve ads that are effective and relevant while maintaining the privacy of individuals who are using the internet. Mozilla is also experimenting with ad technology that preserves user privacy and prevents ad tracking while allowing advertisers to see aggregated data that shows how effective an ad is. Online advertising isn’t going anywhere; by providing privacy-protecting alternatives to the current models, Mozilla can help change the industry for the better. +
++ For us to shift any of these industries, we need responsible data practices. Mozilla has been restrictive in this area in the past, but if we’re going to continue to prove to the industry that responsible data use is possible — especially in data-hungry innovations like advertising and AI — we need to collect and do more with data, in a way that upholds Mozilla’s unwavering privacy principles. There is a better way, so we’ll continue to evolve our approach with transparency and choice at the forefront as we set a new standard for the industry. +
+ ++ Additionally, we are trying to help people protect against abusive data collection practices in general. Mozilla released a tool that empowers people to take back some control from the data brokers. Mozilla Monitor Plus makes it easy to automatically remove personal information from sites that make money off selling your data. And we researched the data practices of the major car companies and found they also are collecting a lot of user data and selling or sharing it with other companies. +
+ ++ Mozilla has long been a champion of protecting users’ privacy online and giving people control over their data. By rising to the new challenges across the tech industry, Mozilla can inspire a path forward and continue to show that technology can serve good without sacrificing users' personal data. In doing so, we can continue to lead as a beacon of what a responsible, user-centered internet can and should be. +
+ }})
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+{% endset %}
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+{% block article_content %}
+ + For years Mozilla has been incorrectly thought of by many as "the Firefox company." This perception left too much of our great work in the shadows. To bring some more light, we've started the process of reinvigorating and elevating the Mozilla brand itself. The core message of Mozilla's rebrand is encapsulated in the phrase "reclaim the internet." We want to inspire individuals and communities to take control over their digital experiences in an era dominated by Big Tech and privacy concerns. +
+ ++ The rebrand positions Mozilla as a beacon for digital rights, emphasizing that Mozilla is here to put people over profits. The new visual identity, including the flag symbol, serves as a rallying cry for users to reclaim their internet. This symbol — built from the 'M' of Mozilla and a pixel that references our iconic Tyrannosaurus rex — embodies belief, peace, unity and activism. It’s a modern design that pays homage to Mozilla's history while driving our mission into the future. +
+ + {{ picture( + url='img/foundation/annualreport/2024/articles/1-3-brand-logo.gif', + sources=[ + { + 'media': '(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)', + 'srcset': { + 'img/foundation/annualreport/2024/articles/1-3-brand-logo-600.png': '600w', + 'img/foundation/annualreport/2024/articles/1-3-brand-logo-800.png': '800w', + 'img/foundation/annualreport/2024/articles/1-3-brand-logo-1000.png': '1000w', + 'img/foundation/annualreport/2024/articles/1-3-brand-logo-1200.png': '1200w', + 'img/foundation/annualreport/2024/articles/1-3-brand-logo-1500.png': '1500w', + }, + 'sizes': { + '(min-width: 1440px)': '680px', + '(min-width: 586px)': '66vw', + 'default': 'calc(100vw - 48px)' + } + }, + { + 'media': '(prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference)', + 'srcset': { + 'img/foundation/annualreport/2024/articles/1-3-brand-logo.gif': '796w' + }, + 'sizes': { + 'default': '796px' + } + } + ], + optional_attributes={ + 'class': 'm24-c-ar-article-inline-image', + 'height': '468', + 'loading': 'lazy', + 'width': '680', + } + ) }} + ++ The visual elements of the new brand were carefully chosen to emphasize Mozilla's mission. The color palette begins with black and white as a strong foundation, complemented by a fresh green hue that represents growth, renewal, and our mission to make the internet better for everyone. Our new bespoke typeface inspired by the Zilla typeface, is more contemporary, with its own custom characters. It informs our wordmark, complements our symbol and is completely true to us! Oh and it’s open source of course. We are not precious. We want our toolkit to be available to everyone so it can be leveraged in different places. +
+ ++ One major goal of this rebrand is to shift perceptions of Mozilla from being "the Firefox company" to being a broader advocate for a healthier internet. Our new brand architecture allows us to amplify our marketing efforts and cross promote effectively. This new brand framework is also about breaking down internal silos. We want to reflect the way our audiences think, simplifying the pathways for people to find and adopt our offerings. By organizing our products and initiatives more intuitively, we’re creating a more impactful brand experience that’s easier to navigate. +
++ Mozilla isn't just another tech company — it is a global community of builders and activists. We are users and creators dedicated to keeping the internet dynamic and accessible, empowering people worldwide to contribute and create. For over 25 years, Mozilla has been a leading advocate for an open, accessible and supportive internet. No matter who you are or where you’re from, Mozilla believes everyone should have the opportunity to experience the web as they want it to be. +
+ ++ Mozilla's diverse offerings needed a structure that brings coherence to our portfolio. We want all parts of Mozilla to be related and have a feeling of cohesion. Historically, our products and initiatives often appeared as standalone efforts, creating a fragmented experience for our audience. This fragmented perception has made it challenging for people to grasp the full breadth of Mozilla’s impact and how all the different parts fit together. +
+ ++ Our new brand architecture aims to fix that by unifying our offerings under a cohesive umbrella. "One Mozilla" is our guiding principle. It is about ensuring that when you see the Mozilla name, it stands for something broader than just one product or initiative. This vision helps our audience understand who we are and what we represent without being overwhelmed by a disjointed mix of logos and projects. +
+ ++ Our past experiments with a combination of brands across a variety of products demonstrated that positioning these offerings under Firefox often created confusion, as Firefox was so closely associated with browsing. By aligning these initiatives directly with Mozilla, we’re simplifying the message. This approach also gives us more flexibility: Each product can better communicate its unique value without the baggage of misaligned expectations. +
+ ++ This change ensures we can present new offerings strategically while maintaining a consistent and recognizable Mozilla presence. We’re concentrating our brand equity — building on the Mozilla awareness and understanding by providing consistency and creativity in a unified way. +
++ This rebranding marks a significant moment for Mozilla. It’s a visual and strategic reset, setting us up for reinvention and growth and ensuring that our products and initiatives speak with a consistent, clear voice. The new architecture is designed to be flexible—whether supporting emerging products or showcasing flagship initiatives, we’re ready to grow while staying true to our mission. +
+ ++ As Mozilla evolves, this refreshed brand will help us better communicate the breadth of our ambitions — from ensuring privacy and transparency in everything we do, to building technologies that empower people rather than exploit them. It’s a brand for everyone who believes in the richness of the internet and supports our mission to make it free, accessible and more open. +
+ }})
+{% endset %}
+
+{% set article_header_image %}
+ {{ picture(
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+
+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'One of Mozilla’s superpowers is to be a convener, bringing together communities whose futures are intertwined to hash out what tomorrow’s tech should look like.' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + I remember the first time I connected to the internet in the 1990s. That distinctive dial-up tone wasn't just noise – it was the sound of possibility. It was a time when we weren't “users” or “consumers;” we were creators, dreamers, and builders of digital worlds. +
+ ++ It's this spirit of wonder and possibility that drew me to the Mozilla Foundation as its Executive Director, and it's what drives my vision for a future where technology serves the fullest sense of what it means to be human. +
+ ++ But let's be real. Today's internet is very different from the 90s dot com boomlet from which Mozilla itself emerged. Twenty-five years ago, we believed technology would transform our world for the better. (Spoiler alert: we still do!) But somewhere along the way, we morphed from a playground of creativity into a marketplace where our worth is measured in our level of distraction. Even as the internet has enhanced some social ties, it’s enforced other bubbles and barriers. We've (temporarily) stopped seeing each other on the internet. +
+ ++ Still, we remember what it used to be like, and we know which human needs matter. The author Joanna Maciejewska said it perfectly: +
+ +“I want AI to do my laundry and dishes so that I can do art and writing, not for AI to do my art and writing so that I can do my laundry and dishes.”
+ ++ Mozilla is a product company and a rights defender and a social movement, working at all times to center humanity, not just technology – and ensure that the future serves us. We want systems, software, networks and AI that are worthy of us. And our time. And our creativity. +
+ ++ The Foundation is on a journey to transform our current reality into this new vision. And to do it, we’re focused on three key concepts: imagination, co-creation, and translation. These are the building blocks of a future with technology that centers humans, and not the machine. This aligns with many of the changes that are happening across the Mozilla portfolio. +
++ First up: Imagining a radically better future. We need to dream bigger – way bigger. The world we live in today emerged from the dreams of activists, doers, and makers decades ago. If we want something different for our future, we have to first imagine the way out. I'm talking about an internet where we're not just pixel-watchers, but creative beings with unlimited potential. We need to imagine the path back to an open and free web that everyone can access … so we can then go about co-creating it. +
+ ++ Next: Co-creating like the digital citizens we are. Here's what makes the internet magical: You could be sitting in Nairobi, and I could be home in New York, and we could still build something amazing together. We’ve evolved the Foundation to meet you where you are – and end the difference between center and periphery. That's the future we need – one we shape hand-in-hand, across borders and cultures (including cultures of practice!). That’s why we’re starting to build in the open, sharing our change process transparently online. We know not all good ideas are invented here. +
+ ++ And finally: Translating the socio-technical divide. The only way we can make technology in the service of humanity is to put differently technical people in direct conversation with one another. We need engineers in the same room as social scientists. We need policymakers with marketmakers. And we need dancers and roboticists. We've got to help people understand how technology shapes their lives so they can make choices that actually work for them. And we need to get everyone talking about how we are impacted by both. One of Mozilla’s superpowers is to be a convener, bringing together communities whose futures are intertwined to hash out what tomorrow's tech should look like. +
++ Strategic Operations. I want to make sure that Mozilla Foundation’s operations expertise isn’t just in service of our organization, but is shared with others. For instance, our technology platform is based on principles around lean data, developing products with privacy built-in, and thoughtful integration of AI — all core elements to an open organization. We’d like to share this institutional knowledge as a resource for people in our community and across the field. +
+ ++ Strategic Communications. Time to turn up the volume on Mozilla's story. We're going bold – think megaphone, not whisper. You'll see us lighting up public stages, diving into community conversations, and making sure our Mozilla Manifesto isn't just words on a page, but a rallying cry that connects across our entire foundation. +
+ ++ Development. I want to flex our grassroots development muscles, because investing in and convening community is one of our unique strengths as a public foundation. We can scout early-stage talent in a way that no one else can. We see ideas before the market recognizes them. We have a voice with the powerful and the powerless – making us an attractive investment for impact. +
+ ++ Products and Programs. These are two incredible building blocks of our future. One of our big AI initiatives is investing in data sets, like Common Voice, gathered in an ethical way and representing our values of diversity. And with our Responsible Computing Challenge, we invest in people who are building the technology of the future. Those programs, along with our partnerships with universities, activists, officials and others, are important elements in getting us to a better internet future. +
+ ++ Community and Campaigns. I call this our "people vertical" – the heartbeat of Mozilla where we organize our amazing fellows and campaigns. This is where we cultivate community – where we help people pool their power to make change in the world. +
++ And as I said above, we’re also focused on making sure that AI is being built in service of humanity. We laid some important groundwork on safety and openness ahead of the industry’s first Open Source AI definition. But we're also asking bigger questions now. Like, is it worthy? Should we really be using precious resources — water, energy, time and brainpower — on AI applications that might not be worth their environmental cost? +
+ ++ That's why you'll see us doubling down on sustainability. We're founding members of the Green Screen Coalition, and we're backing projects like CodeCarbon, an open source Python library that helps developers track their code's carbon footprint. We're not just developing technology — we're crafting a future where innovation and responsibility are in sync. +
++ I joined Mozilla because I believe in the people’s power to change the world. I'm convinced that together we can imagine technology that's open, free, diverse and actually benefits society. And we can co-create it with a broad community of stakeholders, translating between the social and the technical. +
+ ++ And, in this wildly unpredictable moment in 2024, I know we can bring back that spark of joy and creativity that made us fall in love with the internet in the first place. But it’s up to us – we have to act now. Ready to join in? +
+ }})
+{% endset %}
+
+{% set article_header_image %}
+ {{ picture(
+ url='img/placeholder.png',
+ sources=[
+ {
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+{% endset %}
+
+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'We believe in a future where the internet remains open, accessible, and fundamentally sound. And with our progress this year, we’re confident that we’re on the right path, building a future that serves everyone, everywhere.' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + At the heart of everything we do lies our commitment to improving the internet — not just for today, but for future generations. This core commitment shapes every decision we make, as we navigate and lead through an ever-changing technological and regulatory landscape. With this in mind, we have pursued two high-level priorities this year: building ground-breaking technologies that improve the internet, and building a robust business that ensures we can sustain our work for the next 25 years and beyond. +
++ For years, Firefox has symbolized Mozilla’s values, and brought them to life: privacy, security, and an unwavering commitment to user empowerment. However, recent years have brought challenges, with Firefox experiencing a steady decline in user engagement. We knew we had to act. We started with the core — focusing our engineering efforts on driving real improvements in the functionalities that users care about most: speed, privacy, security, and compatibility. We have done this work across both desktop and mobile, leading to a strong acceleration of growth in the number of Mobile Firefox users. +
+ ++ The result? A Firefox that is leaner, faster, and better suited to the modern internet. Our work is paying off. We’re surpassing all of the key performance and financial goals that we set for the Firefox team this year, and it feels like Firefox is turning a corner. We are focused on putting the best browser possible in the hands of the most people and we’re proud of our progress. +
++ To truly shape the future of the internet, we knew we couldn’t just rest on the laurels of Firefox. The internet is evolving rapidly, and with that comes new opportunities, and an increased sense of mission to make a meaningful and positive impact. That’s why we’ve expanded our focus, launching products that address some of the most pressing challenges of our time — in particular, artificial intelligence and privacy-preserving advertising. +
+ ++ Generative AI is reshaping our lives — how we work, interact, and navigate the world. For Mozilla, the question wasn’t whether to engage in generative AI, but how to do so in a way that puts people first. We have chosen to take an active role, not just critiquing from the sidelines, but building a better version of and infrastructure for this transformative technology. +
+ ++ Our programs and partnerships, such as co-development and investment in the llamafile project and our Builders Program, have been instrumental in fostering a community that’s committed to developing generative AI for the common good — a shared vision that makes AI work better for everyone. Additionally, we have integrated (optional) generative AI features directly into Firefox, enhancing the browsing experience with intelligent sidebar suggestions, context-aware tools, and personalized recommendations to ensure users get the most out of their time online. +
+ ++ Advertising is an integral part of the modern internet — it helps keep content freely accessible to all. But let’s be clear: Traditional online advertising, with its disregard for privacy, has fallen short of what users deserve. Our goal is to change that. We want to reimagine how advertising can work … while respecting user privacy. +
+ ++ The acquisition of Anonym this year was a pivotal step. Anonym’s innovative approach to privacy aligns deeply with our mission, and its technology offers a foundation for building advertising solutions that protect user data. +
+ ++ Across our advertising work, we want to make sure that our changes and innovations aimed at improving the advertising system on the internet are in line with our mission and clear for our community. This is a big change and one we will do with input and consideration from our community. +
++ Innovation requires a solid foundation. Internally, this meant reassessing where we allocate resources, and making tough decisions. We had to carefully evaluate each project, identifying those that did not serve our core mission and determining how best to reallocate resources. +
+ ++ As part of this process, we discontinued some projects. But this wasn’t just about cutting back — it was about reinvesting. We redeployed both talent and funding to Firefox, and to new initiatives that promise a more significant impact and greater alignment with our long-term vision. +
+ ++ This renewed focus on efficiency and strategic alignment has allowed us to strengthen our core operations, giving us the flexibility to explore new opportunities, innovate more effectively, and take thoughtful risks that will ultimately push us closer to achieving our mission. We believe that through this reassessment and strategic reallocation, we have laid a much stronger foundation for future growth, ensuring that every part of the organization contributes meaningfully towards building a better internet. +
++ This year has also been about embracing a new level of financial agility. Our financial health is strong, and we are on track to exceed our revenue and EBITDA targets. But what’s more important is how we think about this financial stability. +
+ ++ Mozilla doesn’t answer to shareholders in the traditional sense. Our shareholders are the people of the internet, and our return on investment is measured in the difference we make to their experience online. Our commitment is to deploy our resources towards building a better internet, which may mean making more aggressive financial decisions and taking more risk. This approach ensures that every dollar spent pushes us closer to our mission — whether it’s making Firefox a better, faster browser, launching new generative AI initiatives, or creating privacy innovations that benefit everyone. +
++ As we look to the future, Mozilla’s path is clear. We will continue to enhance Firefox, reinforcing its position as a browser built with the user at its core. We will help lead the development of generative AI that is not only advanced, but also ethical, transparent and people-centered. We will pioneer privacy-preserving technologies that push the industry forward and prove that privacy and innovation can coexist. We will do all this within a framework of a considered strategy, disciplined investment and execution, to ensure our advancements are working and having meaningful positive impact for our community. +
+ ++ And we will do all of this while keeping our community — our true stakeholders — at the center of our mission. We believe in a future where the internet remains open, accessible, and fundamentally sound. And with our progress this year, we’re confident that we’re on the right path, building a future that serves everyone, everywhere. +
+ }})
+{% endset %}
+
+{% set article_header_image %}
+ {{ picture(
+ url='img/placeholder.png',
+ sources=[
+ {
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+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'At Mozilla.ai, our mission is twofold: to become a foundational support and mainstay for developers by providing them AI-driven solutions and crucial components of open-source AI stacks and building community for collaboration.' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + The artificial intelligence landscape is evolving rapidly, with a growing number of tools and large language models (LLMs) to choose from. This can be both exciting and overwhelming for developers who are working on AI projects. +
+ ++ At Mozilla.ai, our mission is twofold: to become a foundational support and mainstay for developers by providing them with AI-driven solutions and crucial components of open source AI stacks and building community for collaboration. We aim to help developers on their AI journey and offer an open source alternative to the closed AI models and tools that many developers are shut out of due to lack of resources and expertise. As an AI startup, research lab and community builder for developers, we’re working to address this by fostering an open, trustworthy, and safe AI ecosystem. To realize that vision, we are making it easier for developers to choose open source AI in several ways. +
++ First, we are developing open source components and tools to help developers address one of the most frustrating parts of the building process — evaluating hundreds of LLM options to determine which is the best fit for a specific project. There’s a broad range of LLMs, with varying capabilities, limitations and specializations. When selecting an AI model, many developers immediately default to ChatGPT because it's well-known and has easy-to-use APIs, even though open source models are more transparent and better in most use cases. +
+ ++ Mozilla.ai has developed a new tool, Lumigator, that provides a way for developers to easily assess the features of the various LLMs, open and closed, so they can determine which would be best for their specific use case. The evaluation stage is quite complex, as developers need to make sure the model will work with their dataset, among other things. Lumigator will evaluate multiple models against a user’s data set, providing insights and recommendations for the specific use case. The goal is to make the process as easy and frictionless as possible, so developers can focus on building their applications. +
+ ++ We won’t stop there. Future iterations of Lumigator will support developers through the entire LLM workflow, from fine tuning to deploying it, as well as managing the infrastructure requirements and running it in the cloud or on local servers. +
++ We are also working on ways to foster community among developers. We envision creating a hub where they can share their knowledge and best practices. In order to make open source AI solutions widespread and easy to use, we feature Blueprints of adaptable starter code, each integrating open-source tools and tailored for real-world AI use cases. They provide developers with a flexible foundation to quickly customize and build AI applications and solutions. Over time, the form could become a rich repository for information on how to build safe, ethical AI. +
+ ++ In 2025, we’re also going to be expanding our partnerships with the people and developer organizations building open source foundational models. Strong open source models are coming from academia and research organizations but many haven’t gained much traction with developers. Our vision also includes a comprehensive ecosystem where developers from all over can aggregate components that work together in a frictionless way. Sometimes there are gaps in a workflow, but often what is missing is the glue between components, which is the value and cohesion we aim to provide. +
+ ++ We can’t democratize open source AI alone, but we can bring our product mindset and community connections to surface the best of the open source AI world to developers. It’s still early days for AI broadly, but we at Mozilla.ai don’t want to waste any time getting developers the tools and support they need to build open source AI technology that is trustworthy and accessible to all. +
+ }})
+{% endset %}
+
+{% set article_header_image %}
+ {{ picture(
+ url='img/placeholder.png',
+ sources=[
+ {
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+ 'img/placeholder.png': 'default'
+ }
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+{% endset %}
+
+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'Mozilla Ventures deeply believes enabling technology that can expand to other parts of the world makes everyone’s technology better. ' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + Two years ago we announced Mozilla Ventures and its core mission of investing in companies building technology designed to have a positive impact on people’s lives and society as a whole. Since then, adoption of AI has been both widespread and rapid, presenting vast opportunities alongside new challenges in terms of security, data privacy, and ethical usage and design. +
+ ++ Today, we’re at a critical juncture, much like we were 25 years ago when Mozilla played an important role in ensuring the growth and future of open source software. That’s why we are, now more than ever, driven to support an ecosystem of startups that are innovating in a responsible manner. +
+ ++ Unlike most Silicon Valley funds where the goal is to maximize investor profit, we believe that success is most meaningful when it balances positive impact and business growth. That’s why we are hyper-focused on three pillars: trustworthy AI, healthy communities and security and privacy. +
++ The companies we invest in are in the early and growth stages developing a wide range of technologies – and that spectrum is by design. Each one aims to push the industry in a more positive direction. So far, we’ve invested in over 45 startups across the world. +
+ ++ Trustworthy AI has been a key focus for Mozilla Foundation since 2020. This perspective is the foundation for our thesis around AI, and we have since become one of the most active investors in founders who think deeply about what responsibility and trust means when deploying this technology. +
+ ++ We have invested in AI governance leaders such as Credo AI, Fiddler AI, and Holistic AI, and companies building the technical infrastructure for AI and machine learning (ML) training, deployment and management such as Themis AI, Vera, TruePic, and Trail. One portfolio company, Armilla AI, is pioneering AI insurance offerings. +
+ ++ We're pushing back against the trend of big tech dominating with closed-source AI by supporting AI labs that are rethinking how we create and use technology in fresh, innovative ways. Like Lelapa AI, which is building resource-efficient language models in Africa; Nous Research who are working obsessively on open source AI development; Flower AI which has created the leading open source system that helps AI learn from data spread across different locations, keeping everything safe and private; Probabl is a startup based on the ubiquitous scikit-learn open-source library; and Answer.AI is a new type of AI R&D lab that is building in public. +
++ We’ve also partnered with Betaworks on their AI accelerators, bringing together startups that are creating tools to boost human creativity and collaboration. These programs not only help us discover innovative talent but also align with our mission to ensure technology works for people — not the other way around. +
+ ++ We don’t just fund startups — we build connections that grow the Mozilla ecosystem. For example, Filament worked with Mozilla Builders to expand the Uniffi toolkit for React Native. Now, startups can easily use Rust libraries with React Native, combining safety, speed, and cross-platform flexibility. +
+ ++ There are other examples of the seeds of our efforts sprouting in multiple ways: +
+ +All of these connections and collaborations are just the beginning of our work to bring more and more startups into the Mozilla ecosystem and share our mission with founders. By democratizing access to funding, we’re removing some of their biggest hurdles.
++ We support visionary founders with bold ideas and a shared vision of impact, and work to help them scale responsibly. Mozilla Ventures deeply believes enabling technology that can expand to other parts of the world makes everyone’s technology better. This allows us to constantly learn and challenge ourselves, while bringing in fresh perspectives and helping ship more code. +
+ ++ While the future is uncertain, and vast challenges remain, we believe that the right investments today will shape a more inclusive and healthy online world for tomorrow. +
+ }})
+{% endset %}
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+{% endset %}
+
+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'Ultimately, our goal is to create a powerful suite of communication tools for people instilled with our values.' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + When I first joined the Thunderbird team in 2017, my focus was on keeping it alive. In the early days, it was governed solely by the Thunderbird Council, which is an elected group of contributors dedicated to the project. The team was small at the time — a staff of three — so right after being hired, I joined the Thunderbird Council and took on a role as its treasurer. +
+ ++ We struggled, and quite frankly, that period of time definitely took a toll. We were understaffed and there wasn’t a real vision for where we were trying to go with the product. There were jabs from friends telling me to move on from it. Ultimately, it wasn’t on a sustainable path, and it was only a matter of time before it needed to sunset. +
+ ++ But one thing we were so fortunate to have at the time (and obviously have now) was our committed and dedicated community of users: Thunderbird had a user count of 20 million when I first joined. We didn’t just see that as a big number of users — we saw that as a massive amount of insights, information, and perspectives we could use to make changes and build something great. It is our users and contributors that allow Thunderbird to stand apart. It doesn't mean that we always agree with everyone in our community. What it does mean is that we are making decisions and changes and moving forward in a way that is collaborative and reflects the will of our users. +
++ We opened a door to conversation with our users, asking them for help and support. That began by adding updates to our start page and eventually added a note when people downloaded the software letting them know that donations support Thunderbird, and for them to consider donating to keep it alive. It was important for us to be very honest about our needs and how we positioned it. We also worked to figure out a way to reach out to our users directly, dive deep and discover what resonated so well with them — what kept them there, what they are interested in, what improvements could be made. +
+ ++ By starting that conversation and opening up a two-way dialogue between us and our users, it gave us everything we needed to get on the right roadmap to where we are today. Our users began donating and as a result, we were able to expand our team and get organized. The expansion and investment from our community helped us to finally be able to fix many of the challenges that made developing Thunderbird hard. It’s why we’re still here today, and why we couldn’t be prouder of the progress we’ve made since then. +
+ ++ That said, there have been challenges to this sort of two-way, co-creating community partnership. For example, sometimes we may not see eye-to-eye on a product decision. But, as in many business relationships, you’re able to maneuver through those challenges when you have a common goal. Ours was creating a decentralized, privacy-respecting email experience rooted in open standards, and that common goal often helped us stay on track. It’s different, but co-creating has helped us become stronger and stick to these principles. We make decisions together, with our users in the room, and I think that’s what makes the work we’re doing at Thunderbird so unique and special. +
+ ++ Those two-way conversations are still going strong today and are a large part of the success we’ve had. In 2024, we’re on track to receive $10 million or more in donations from our community, an increase from $9 million in 2023. The Thunderbird team has grown exponentially to 41 employees, compared to when I started with three part-time contractors working 10 to 20 hours a week. Today, we feel a lot of confidence in the work we do now and aren’t opposed to taking risks and trying new things because we've come from the bottom — “What is dead may never die,” as I like to quote from Game of Thrones. We don’t forget that, and it’s a special part of our DNA now with any new projects we’re taking on. +
++ That confident mentality is what’s going to propel our focus in 2025 and beyond. Thunderbird can’t just be a desktop email client anymore — it’ll remain that and stay a core part, but there’s more. We’re excited to continue testing and developing experiences in the product that add value for our users, like our calendar-scheduling tool Thunderbird Appointment, for example, which is in beta. In October, we announced Thunderbird for Android users. These new experiences are a testament to our long-lasting two-way communication with our community. When we’re able to try these things, it’s because our users know we’re protecting their data, and that’s why they’re willing to use it and engage with it and help us experiment. +
+ ++ That’s just the start. Ultimately, our goal is to create a powerful suite of communication tools for people instilled with our values. We’re going to have more users, more products and grow Thunderbird to make a dent in the communication space on the internet. And we’re going to do it with the same community that’s always been there with us. +
+ }})
+{% endset %}
+
+{% set article_header_image %}
+ {{ picture(
+ url='img/placeholder.png',
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+{% endset %}
+
+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'Mozilla’s vision of winning isn’t about beating competitors; it’s about creating technology that helps people win back control of their digital lives.' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + I’m uniquely positioned as the top person overseeing new product strategy and execution at the Mozilla Corporation. As a product builder in this area, I don’t have to focus on what’s happening tomorrow; I get to lock in on the long game. +
+ ++ Many of the larger tech companies running the ecosystem today use product strategies to drive revenue for shareholders, take over market share, and win against competitors in various categories. +
+ ++ They want to win in a fashion that takes advantage of users’ privacy and personal data. That’s the currency that so many of these larger companies partake in. +
+ ++ Mozilla’s vision of winning isn’t about beating competitors; it’s about creating technology that helps people win back control of their digital lives. That’s not at the expense of stealing your data, or the demands of shareholders that don’t care about that, either. For us, growing our products and building sustainable revenue are important, but that’s in service of our end goal, not the goal itself. This unique mission of building for better versus building for revenue is why I joined Mozilla this year. +
+ ++ Taking this approach allows us to be different. By not having those business conflicts, we can make decisions and draft innovative ideas based on good and the core values of our Mozilla Manifesto, not just dollars. Mozilla is a non-profit-owned company, and we’re not public — we don’t have a quarterly earnings target to hit, nor do we face public market pressure. We get to set the pace and make choices that maximize the success of humans using the internet and what keeps them safe, not scrape to find where our next dollar is going to come from. Our shareholders are the users of our products. This unconventional approach also allows us to be the voice of the people when approaching and working with regulators about what’s possible with our technology. +
+ ++ Success for us is not making another dollar, it’s building and supporting technology that empowers people. We build to push the industry forward and challenge the status quo. +
+ ++ There are various teams working diligently on new ideas and emerging products to help execute this, such as Fakespot, Mozilla Monitor and Solo. We want these products to be a model of what’s possible and to influence other companies. We’re developing products designed to inspire consumers to demand better — to question the status quo and push for technology that prioritizes their needs. We're also learning from every misstep and success, knowing that innovation is rarely linear, but always worth pursuing. +
+ ++ Ultimately, we’re in this for people to win, not to win it for ourselves. If Mozilla builds something that is fundamentally better for the people — our competitors will probably copy it — that’s a win for people, the internet and Mozilla. With us leading by example, it makes the ecosystem of the internet better. That’s how we view success. +
+ ++ We have a rich history of doing exactly this. We saw a wave of ad blockers introduced after we were the first browser to bring that concept to market. The same can be said about Fakespot, our fake review-detection tool, or Mozilla VPN and Relay email-masking products. Those products set the standard. Now, you’re seeing other companies replicate those tools we built while we focused on people, not shareholders. +
+ +We have even more product areas we’re excited to work on in 2025 and beyond:
++ We will continue pushing for the open source movement in the world of AI. The first part of that is of course defining it — the Open Source Initiative (OSI) released a new draft definition of open source AI in August that we endorse, but there still remains an opportunity to bring clarity to the open source discussion. We’re taking a stance in that area and building products that democratize access to AI. +
+ ++ If we collectively do nothing, this new era of AI will be dominated by a handful of powerful tech companies. The same way Mozilla fights for a free and open web is the same way we’re fighting for AI by making sure that anyone and any community can shape, personalize, enjoy and trust AI. We’re going to continue building products that champion that. +
++ It’s critically important to safeguard the future of AI through collaborative global efforts. We took a step in that direction when we launched the first ever AI bounty program, 0din. It takes submissions from researchers who find vulnerabilities in big large language models (LLMs) and reports those vulnerabilities to the companies directly so they can correct them before any harm occurs. We’re excited to keep growing in that area while also jumping into deepfake detection — text, imagery, video, etc. — to keep people informed about what’s real and not. +
++ The internet and much of the content we consume is powered by advertising. That’s OK. What’s not OK: Taking all the data about people that comes from their usage of the internet and using that to fuel the machine. We’ve already been working for years to protect Firefox users from invasive data collection used in ads, but across other surfaces outside of Mozilla’s control, personal data is regularly collected, shared and compiled to power digital ads. That’s why Anonym’s efforts, which are totally separate from Firefox, are so important. Anonym is creating an alternative ad tech infrastructure that improves privacy measures for data commonly shared between advertisers and ad networks when it has been collected. +
+ ++ We’re building better ways for companies to advertise products without compromising user privacy. The tradeoffs users have to make online are too significant, and they deserve better. Advancing the technology to enable privacy-preserving advertising is extremely critical for us, and we hope to set the standard for what that means as a beacon for others. Our product strategy is focused on our core principles of privacy, openness and choice. We hear from brands who want to support this and from people who appreciate there’s a way to receive helpful ads while protecting and preserving their privacy. +
+ ++ These are the areas we’re ready to get to work on in 2025 and beyond. As Mozilla evolves, our product suite does, too. There is tons of product-building happening across dozens of industries to address these same subjects, but no one can shape their products for users as uniquely as we do. And no one puts a core set of human values at the center like us. +
+ }})
+{% endset %}
+
+{% set article_header_image %}
+ {{ picture(
+ url='img/placeholder.png',
+ sources=[
+ {
+ 'media': '(max-width: 1023px)',
+ 'srcset': {
+ 'img/placeholder.png': 'default'
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+{% endset %}
+
+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'We want Firefox to be the browser you trust—the one that prioritizes your needs, respects your privacy, and puts you in control of your digital life.' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + Even as it turns 20 years old, Firefox remains an essential option for experiencing a better internet. Firefox has always been about giving users choice and real user control over their online experience, and this vision is more relevant than ever. We aim to be the browser that evolves alongside the internet, empowering people to navigate a digital world that is increasingly more complex. +
+ ++ For two decades, Firefox has remained true to its original mission — to provide a browser that serves the interests of people first, not corporations. This is continually demonstrated by keeping user choice at the heart of our design and development philosophy. Today, choice means more than just selecting a browser; it means deciding how your data is used, choosing tools that align with your values, and ensuring that privacy is not compromised for convenience. +
+ ++ Firefox is continually evolving to offer users meaningful choices. For example, the launch of Firefox Labs allows users to opt-in to new features that we're building to give us early feedback. We are creating local models like translations and alt-text generation in PDFs that respect user privacy. And we continue to support MV2 technology to ensure that ad-blockers continue to work well in Firefox. This effort ensures that personal data remains on the device, giving users full control of their experience. +
++ One of the defining elements of Firefox has always been its commitment to open source. This is not merely a technical decision but a fundamental value that underscores everything we do. Inviting the global community to build Firefox results in a more robust, innovative product. +
+ ++ We regularly celebrate the contributions of developers worldwide who help us improve Firefox. These contributions go beyond code submissions; they represent the diverse perspectives and needs of millions of people who rely on Firefox to navigate the web. Whether it’s improving core features, reporting bugs or expanding language support, our community ensures Firefox remains inclusive and accessible to all. +
+ ++ This openness also extends to building platforms for others. We invite the community and developers to innovate on Firefox through initiatives like web extensions and to create tools to enrich the browsing experience. Firefox is not just a product of Mozilla; it is a product of everyone who believes in an open, user-centric web. +
+ ++ The challenges we face today are significant. The issue of default browsers and the complexities surrounding user choice are hurdles we continue to fight against. Despite these barriers, we believe that providing an alternative — one that respects privacy, embraces transparency and champions user choice — is more critical than ever. +
+ ++ Moreover, Firefox is committed to tackling the web compatibility challenges arising from Chromium-based browsers' dominance. Many websites are optimized solely for these browsers, leading to a less inclusive web experience. Our focus is on collaborating with web developers to ensure their sites work seamlessly across all browsers, thus maintaining an open and accessible internet for everyone. We advocate for a diverse ecosystem where users can freely choose their preferred browser without encountering compatibility issues. +
++ As the way people access the internet evolves, Firefox is evolving, too. Mobile devices have become the primary gateway to the digital world, and we are fully committed to making Firefox a leader in mobile browsing. Mobile use cases are distinct from desktops, and our goal is to create a product that is tailor-made for these scenarios, offering a browsing experience that feels natural and powerful on mobile devices. +
+ ++ We will invest in enhancing Firefox's mobile capabilities. This means making it easier for users to sync their data across devices, access features that work seamlessly regardless of the platform, and enjoy a consistent experience on a phone, tablet, or desktop. +
+ ++ Our vision is for Firefox to feel intuitive on mobile—not as a smaller desktop browser version, but as a uniquely optimized tool for mobile users. We are committed to delivering the best experience across all devices, ensuring that people can access what they need wherever they are. +
+ ++ In addition, we will continue to provide new and innovative features for our world-class desktop browser. Firefox desktop is the destination for users that want privacy and choice without sacrificing speed and usability. Our desktop browser will continue to innovate by responding to user needs and advancing AI features to adapt to the new way that the web is being used. +
+ ++ Our vision for Firefox is bold: a browser that not only adapts to changes in technology but also shapes those changes in ways that are good for everyone. We are building a product that provides users with powerful tools while ensuring their data is protected. We are playing a leading role in ensuring that the web remains open and accessible through advocacy and public standards. We want Firefox to be the browser you trust — the one that prioritizes your needs, respects your privacy, and puts you in control of your digital life. +
+ ++ Looking ahead, we are excited for what is to come. Firefox will continue to evolve, incorporating assistive technologies and local AI to help users stay productive and in control. We will strengthen our community bonds, ensuring that Firefox remains a product built by and for the people. And we will double down on our commitment to mobile, making Firefox the best choice for browsing on the go. +
+ ++ As we push forward, we understand that we cannot do it alone. We invite everyone who believes in a better internet to join us. Whether you are a developer, a privacy advocate, or simply a user who values choice, your contributions strengthen Firefox. We need web developers to test their websites on Firefox to maintain compatibility, users to spread the word about the importance of an open internet, and advocates to support policies that foster genuine competition and innovation. +
+ }})
+{% endset %}
+
+{% set article_header_image %}
+ {{ picture(
+ url='img/placeholder.png',
+ sources=[
+ {
+ 'media': '(max-width: 1023px)',
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+ 'img/placeholder.png': 'default'
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+{% endset %}
+
+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'Working together, our community can build an ecosystem around open source AI technology that people can trust and which brings them joy and agency.' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + People want a positive relationship with technology. A relationship we can be excited about, one where AI, phones and other devices delight us, make life easier and enrich our work lives. In the AI era, this is not how it feels. While the technology is unlocking profound societal benefits, ranging from productivity gains for individuals and small businesses, to AI-powered drug discovery, the harms from AI have also never been more pressing. We’re seeing AI being used in ways that make it easier to deceive and harass people on social media, perpetuate bias in the criminal justice system, and extract sensitive information from people’s online activity. +
+ ++ When Mozilla started, it felt like you could just hack your way to a different relationship with technology; You could bend it to your will. Today, it feels like the technology titans run the world. Six out of 10 of the world’s most valuable companies are U.S. west coast tech players (totaling $14 trillion in market cap) and they are defining the direction of AI. They are determining when and how AI shows up in our daily lives, and developing their AI models behind closed doors, often making it impossible to audit how these models work or too expensive or difficult to build your own. +
++ But there is a wave of pushback, and the open source ecosystem is gaining unprecedented momentum among AI practitioners. Consumers, small business, creators and governments are looking for someone to rally the people and build the tech that offers another bargain than the one the titans are offering: one pointed away from fear, and towards hope. +
+ ++ Mozilla has an opportunity to be this someone, to root in its open source history, and gather an alliance that will change the game, just as we did 25 years ago. Today, that means acting quickly to send AI in a new direction; a direction that puts people and communities in control of how AI shows up in their lives. That’s our North Star: a world where anyone and any community can shape, enjoy and trust AI. +
+ ++ Three core pillars guide this work towards this north star: +
++ Open source AI is gaining traction: performance of open models is almost on par with the best closed models and Hugging Face reported an 880% increase in the number of generative AI model repositories in two years (from 160,000 to 1.57 million). In the private sector, according to a 2024 study by the investment firm Andreessen Horowitz, 46% of Fortune 500 company leaders say they strongly prefer to leverage open source models. +
+ ++ To ensure that the open source ecosystem continues to grow and thrive, Mozilla is investing in making sure open source tools and platforms can win on performance, safety and ease of use. Toward this end, our Builders program is accelerating and collaborating with ambitious open source developers by helping facilitate a Local AI LAMP stack and the Data Futures Lab is supporting new data governance models. +
+ ++ At Mozilla.ai we’re working on a developer hub where builders can learn, create and collaborate on open source AI and we’re developing our own model evaluation tools to help developers move from concept to application with greater ease and confidence. +
+ ++ To support open source AI research, Mozilla will continue to invest in events and technical convenings — like the partnership with Columbia Institute of Global Policies to sponsor a meeting of scholars on Openness and AI. The paper that came out of that “Towards a Framework for Openness in Foundation Models,” was followed closely by the Open Source Initiative (OSI)’s release of the industry’s first Open Source AI definition as well as a convening focused on AI openness and safety. +
++ Mozilla’s Manifesto calls upon us to build an internet that balances private and public interests. In the era of AI, this means building public goods, resources and orientation to ensure that AI is easy for communities to use for the public interest. Mozilla is helping by building tech, unlocking resources and talent, and pushing governments to create the foundation for “public interest AI.” +
+ ++ One of our biggest initiatives is Common Voice, the largest open source voice AI training dataset which is expanding from scripted speech to spontaneous speech, making it more inclusive to underserved languages around the globe. We’re deepening our focus on data through our collaboration with EleutherAI on creating the largest openly licensed dataset and model trained on an openly licensed dataset. +
+ ++ In 2025, we will expand our AI efforts to the creative community. Creative AI Futures grants will bring together underserved creative community organizations and professional academies, as well as government, to learn and prototype new AI programs. Meanwhile, our Responsible Computing Challenge will expand into Responsible AI in 2025, starting with South African schools, and ultimately becoming a global conference. +
+ ++ We are also moving forward with an ambitious public policy agenda on AI aimed at protecting and promoting the use of open source AI. This includes early work on the idea of a public alternative to commercial AI built by open source communities and nonprofit and government labs. We call this “public AI.” +
+ ++ In Europe, we’re engaging with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the economic and labor communities to build a bridge between groups involved in policy and those that are technically proficient in AI. We also host various local MozFests around the world throughout the year. +
+ ++ As a result of all these efforts, we are able to engage with people in a variety of meaningful ways — it’s our superpower. Working together, our community can build an ecosystem around open source AI technology that people can trust and which brings them joy and agency. +
+ }})
+{% endset %}
+
+{% set article_header_image %}
+ {{ picture(
+ url='img/placeholder.png',
+ sources=[
+ {
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+ 'srcset': {
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+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'Our main goal at Mozilla is to ensure that the technology we build and support through our various programs, partnerships and ecosystem is based on open principles, accessible to all—and benefits communities, rather than harms them.' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + At Mozilla, we’re always looking for ways to make technology that empowers people and solves real world problems. We’re excited about the technology shift being created by AI, but need to make sure it benefits more people than just those with the most resources. Genius is evenly distributed globally, but opportunity is not. That’s why we’re focused on being a trusted partner empowering people in the ever-changing AI landscape by providing products and tools, and supporting the shared know-how necessary to navigate this transition. +
+ ++ We’ve found that the best way to do that and foster innovation is to co-create an ecosystem with outside developers, entrepreneurs and others. Our Mozilla Builders program taps into the broader open source community and provides funding, expertise and other support to help open-source creators drive meaningful progress in technology and society. +
++ Advances in hardware, software, and neural network designs are enabling models to become smaller and more powerful. This means we’ll see them used on laptops and smartphones, and not just cloud-based services run by big companies. Local AI will provide significant benefits in privacy, cost efficiency and system reliability. It also will make AI capabilities more accessible to individual developers and small communities, giving them the means to solve problems relevant to them. We’ve been asking ourselves, how do people take advantage of AI-powered systems while still having agency over some of their personal data and privacy? The on-device approach might be part of the answer. If we can move more of the value created by these systems to “the edge,” more people can benefit. To spur development in this area, our theme for the 2025 Builder’s program is Local AI. Projects such as Llamafile and SQlite-vec make it easier for developers to incorporate on-device capabilities into their AI-powered applications. +
++ We also have a new products team that is building AI products that solve real-world problems for entrepreneurs and solopreneurs. Many people lack the skills to build websites or money to pay others to do it. Our free Solo product helps individuals and small businesses easily create online presences and get their businesses operational quickly. +
+ ++ At Mozilla, we’re thinking about other areas for development too, such as voice-based interfaces for hands-free internet use, and collaborative spaces for groups of agents and users to interact. The advances in AI systems are happening so rapidly, bringing more opportunities for innovation all the time. +
+ ++ Our main goal at Mozilla is to ensure that the technology we build and support through our various programs, partnerships and ecosystem is based on open principles, accessible to all — and benefits communities, rather than harms them. +
+ }})
+{% endset %}
+
+{% set article_header_image %}
+ {{ picture(
+ url='img/placeholder.png',
+ sources=[
+ {
+ 'media': '(max-width: 1023px)',
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+{% endset %}
+
+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'At Mozilla, we see this as an opportunity to challenge the status quo with solutions that enable an advertising ecosystem that is both user-friendly and sustainable. ' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + Can online advertising thrive without exploiting your personal data? At Mozilla, we believe it not only can, but must. +
+ ++ For over two decades, Mozilla has championed an internet that prioritizes user privacy, often standing apart from an industry accustomed to unfettered use of personal data. We understand that without advertising, many of the services and information on the internet would not be freely available — and that’s not the future we want, either. However, we don’t agree with the traditional advertising model that collects personal data and tracks users across the internet. +
+ ++ Mozilla has a responsibility, as a part of our Mozilla Manifesto, to support and maintain a healthy internet ecosystem, and this includes advertising. We have a unique opportunity to reinvent how the ad industry works by building a model where ads are relevant and effective, while also respecting people’s privacy. This means reimagining how advertising technologies work, from the ground up. Our goal is to shift the ad industry to become more respectful of people’s privacy. +
++ Studies have shown that privacy-minded advertising is something consumers want. Arguments that set up a binary situation — user privacy or revenue-generating advertising — are missing an important point: User privacy and business success are not mutually exclusive if the ads are relevant and users can control their data. +
+ ++ Most advertising models begin with the question, “How much data can we gather to improve ad targeting?” At Mozilla, we ask: “How can we ensure effective ad delivery while using the least amount of user data?” “What technologies can we use to manage the data so that no data on individual users is revealed to anyone, including Mozilla?” +
+ ++ This is the idea behind our testing of Privacy-Preserving Attribution (PPA): It’s a way to help advertisers measure how well their ads are doing without compromising user privacy. PPA uses smart cryptographic techniques to share aggregated stats but keeps user data completely private. Unlike traditional methods, it doesn’t track you, reveal your identity, or share personal info. It’s all about balancing ad effectiveness with respect for privacy. +
+ ++ While PPA was still in testing mode, the idea of Mozilla experimenting with an advertising model caught some members of the Firefox community by surprise. That taught us an important lesson: We need to better communicate with our community and bring them along with us on these exploratory journeys, in the spirit of full transparency. We have not strayed from our commitment to protect user privacy, and we want to be clear that our intentions and process remain aligned with our Manifesto. +
+ ++ The advertising industry — a nearly $1 trillion global industry with almost 80% of it digital in the US — isn’t going to go away. Ignoring this reality won’t change it, but by participating in it in a privacy-respecting way, Mozilla can set an example and show that effective, relevant advertising and consumer privacy can co-exist. +
++ So far, there hasn’t been much incentive for change in the current ad climate. Market share is concentrated among a few big players, regulation has been piecemeal at best, and the assumption is that personal user data is necessary for advertising to work. We know that’s not the case and we’re working with the industry to solve that together. +
+ ++ Mozilla’s structure enables us to challenge historical industry models without the financial pressures public companies face. We are accountable to the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, which allows us to prioritize long-term privacy values over immediate profit. As a result, we can focus on technology innovations that benefit people and uphold our vision of an open, trustworthy and accessible web. +
++ Advertising supports much of the internet’s free content and services today. Ensuring that this model evolves responsibly is essential to maintaining access for all. At Mozilla, we see this as an opportunity to challenge the status quo with solutions that enable an advertising ecosystem that is both user-friendly and sustainable. +
+ ++ With our recent acquisition of Anonym, we are taking a major step toward proving that advertising can respect user privacy while remaining effective. Anonym’s technology uses encrypted data sets and aggregation technology to de-identify individual user data, keeping it hidden from platforms and advertisers. This creates a viable alternative to the privacy-exposing data sharing that takes place today and enables effective, privacy-safe digital ad campaigns. +
+ ++ We are still at the beginning of this journey, and we’re prepared for the complexities ahead. We believe the future of advertising can work for everyone. We’re committed to building an advertising ecosystem that respects privacy and builds richer online experiences at the same time. +
+ }})
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+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'Anonym solves a big problem in the ad industry: It enables a system where ads are relevant and measurable, but don’t compromise people’s privacy.' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + Whenever the topic of online privacy arises, the common refrain from Big Tech is that targeted ads are an essential mechanism for funding the online services we all enjoy, so there’s no choice but to let them vacuum up our personal data. +
+ ++ We couldn’t disagree more. Technology options have advanced to the point where respecting user privacy online, while enabling publishers to still deliver relevant content and advertisements — and enabling advertisers to see how those ads perform — is not only possible, but it doesn’t require bending over backwards to make it happen. +
+ ++ Our company, Anonym, developed the technology that makes this possible, and this year we joined forces with Mozilla to enable even more publishers and advertisers to keep user privacy at their core. Our plan is to work with these partners to show it’s possible to operate a healthy advertising business without sharing users’ information all around the Internet. +
++ There have been some improvements to online privacy in recent years, through regulations like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the depreciation of cookies by some web browsers. But these changes merely make data collection more difficult, and determined industry players are finding ways around them through server-to-server connections and direct data transfers. +
+ ++ Today, nearly every click, location, search and view is collected, shared with ad networks and compiled into vast online profiles that are used in digital ads. Instead of plugging the holes in online privacy, Anonym’s technology provides a business-ready offering that fully addresses the issue. +
++ Protecting user privacy is nothing new to Mozilla: For years, we’ve been working to prevent data collection in Firefox. Anonym’s technology, which is completely separate from Firefox, tackles user privacy in advertising in a very different way — at the ad tech infrastructure layer. +
+ ++ Anonym solves a big problem in the ad industry: It enables a system where ads are relevant and measurable, but don’t compromise people’s privacy. We know that most websites, apps and platforms are collecting volumes of “first-party” user data, and that is unlikely to stop anytime soon. Anonym’s technology provides an alternative to sharing that data while still enabling an effective and measurable ad experience, in contrast to the vast sharing that is common in today’s digital ad industry. +
++ We have a novel way of doing this. We securely combine encrypted data sets from online service providers and advertisers in a trusted execution environment that no one has access to, not even us. The system enables advertisers to measure and optimize campaigns without connecting the analytics to specific, identified individuals using differential privacy algorithms — strong mathematical frameworks that provide statistical information while obscuring the identity of individuals. Basically, it adds noise to the data, helping to prevent it from being traced back to individual users. +
+ ++ Anonym is transparent about the code and algorithms that make the system work, and eventually, we hope to allow regulators and civil society organizations to verify the protections provided. That would mean that no single organization — not even Mozilla — will be entrusted with guarding users’ privacy. +
+ ++ We have already proven that Anonym’s privacy-respecting technology is effective for ad measurement and attribution, but we’re not stopping there. We know that some of the most egregious privacy concerns and creepy experiences come from the data used in ad targeting and delivery, which is when ad systems follow people around the web showing them ads based on their activities. In the future, we want to create additional new methods for strengthening user privacy while enabling effective and meaningful advertising. +
+ ++ In an age where every move we make online feels like it’s being shadowed by advertisers, the quest for online privacy can seem like a game of cat-and-mouse. Now, Anonym offers the technology and drive to tip the scales back in favor of users. Our solution meets the needs of advertisers while ensuring everyone's privacy is protected online. +
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+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'We’re identifying, orchestrating and connecting some of the best minds around the world to advance our collective vision of an open AI landscape that works better for everyone.' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + Innovation at Mozilla isn’t just about creating better tools — it’s about reimagining how we interact with the internet and putting the power back into people’s hands. We have a long history of building in public, learning through building, and iterating in community to achieve that goal. At the dawn of the commercial internet, we used this approach to stand up to tech monopolies and empower both developers and everyday users to prioritize privacy and the public good. Now, as we enter the latest era of technological disruption, Mozilla is bringing our values of openness, user choice and community to AI. +
+ ++ With billions of dollars flowing to a few large, fully-integrated AI players racing to maximize profits, it has never been more important for the developer community to build alternatives that serve the people. That’s why our Innovation Ecosystems team is focusing on making it easier for AI developers – and eventually consumers – to choose the open route. +
++ Many solo developers and small teams are working on common problems, but can’t match the financial or technical resources of the biggest companies on their own. To democratize access to AI and its benefits, we must work together to make open tools a viable option to compete with, or complement, the most popular closed models. Mozilla is bringing down barriers to entry by co-building useful open source AI tools like llamafile, funding other open source AI projects, and sharing knowledge with a broader community of technologists, researchers, and nonprofits. By engaging with like-minded, values-driven developers and organizations, we’re working to break down the barriers that keep better AI products out of reach for many. Building these alternatives isn’t just a technical problem; it’s a cultural and structural one that we’re tackling alongside our community. +
+ ++ Over the last year, we have experimented with a range of ways to connect and collaborate with this community. One is Mozilla Builders, which funds and supports impactful projects with a 12-week program to advance key elements of a healthy open source AI ecosystem. Selected projects receive up to $100,000 in non-dilutive funding, without the expectation of outsized returns demanded by traditional startup accelerators. +
+ ++ Our focus on the public interest frees us from the intense hunt for profits, allowing program alumni to evolve their work into open source projects, Firefox features, startups or new products. By partnering with a mix of contributors, we go beyond the one-size-fits-all accelerator model and create foundational, open technologies that can raise the bar for the entire AI industry. +
++ The theme for this year’s Mozilla Builders cohort was local AI, meaning AI that can run on a phone or computer with a CPU instead of GPUs in a server farm. These on-device systems run smaller models that preserve privacy, cost less and inspire more creative approaches to solving problems. They are more sustainable than large models because they use existing infrastructure and require less computing power for each query. And they increase accessibility because more people have phones than computers with access to expensive GPU power. Local AI is available to everyone who needs it, not just the bleeding edge, regardless of resources and cost. +
+ ++ We’re identifying, orchestrating and connecting some of the best minds around the world to advance our collective vision of an open AI landscape that works better for everyone. We borrow strength from our past to shape the future and look forward to the journey ahead in 2025 and beyond. +
+ }})
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+{% set blockquote_1_text = 'At the Mozilla Foundation, our work with global partners aims to change the balance of power in a tech world where the most important technologies used by so many are controlled by so few. ' %}
+
+{% block article_content %}
+ + Humans are innate toolmakers, and the tools we create have always shaped who we become and how we adapt. Information technology is one expression of this legacy which has become essential to how we connect and live our lives. In more recent years, it has increasingly dictated the way we live our lives, whether we have access to it, or we don’t. What has become undeniable is that the benefits of technological advancement disproportionately favor a small, elite group. The tech platforms that dominate the world are concentrated in the global majority, controlled by a privileged few. +
++ And with new technologies, we’re entering an unprecedented era of our tools shaping us. Artificial intelligence, for example, is upending the fabric of society, blurring the boundaries between human capability and machine-driven processes. It is intervening in industries, ethics, and the ways we connect and communicate. The Mozilla Foundation is dedicated to cutting through this noise, fostering communities around shared objectives, and funding projects that promote a healthier internet for all. +
+ ++ At the Mozilla Foundation, our work with global partners aims to change the balance of power in a tech world where the most important technologies used by so many are controlled by so few. Our programs have directed resources towards technology solutions and products that are built to benefit communities on a local level. +
++ A big focus for us going ahead will be expanding the reach of MozFest, our flagship event which engages people doing the most cutting-edge thinking and building around technology and society. Post-pandemic, we concentrated on creating smaller, intimate gatherings across key regions, in cities such as Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Lusaka, Zambia. +
+ ++ In 2025, we will reintroduce our global model. Through the imaginative powers that decentralized the internet, we will bring participants together from across the world. Our “federated design” approach brings together community “wranglers” who work collaboratively with others to co-create events, highlighting diverse perspectives to address critical technological challenges. MozFest will also play a key role in translating between the different stakeholders who make up its attendees: artists talking to engineers and policymakers talking to product managers. Together, they will share solutions, develop toolkits and methodologies, and celebrate tools and products that prioritize people over profit. This model cultivates coalitions that span both issues and geographic boundaries. +
+ ++ For example, during our regional events in 2024, we emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration to demonstrate how to build ethical technology. We partnered with media organizations to establish a journalism corner, providing journalists with the tools they need to hold big tech accountable in this critical moment. We also developed builder-focused programming to explore open source AI — its benefits, applications, and regional challenges. And, we curated a larger exhibition space for artists who are creatively examining the impact of technology, offering alternatives rooted in the generosity of their imaginations. +
++ In addition to MozFest, we will deepen our community connectivity in 2025 with additional investment in our Mozilla Fellows and programs like Responsible Computing Challenge (RCC). The Challenge will roll out in Ghana and Columbia and kick off its second round in Kenya, India and South Africa. Through the Common Voice Initiative which is centered around the site of experience for internet and AI users, we are building data sets for applications to be used by people whose languages are ignored by mainstream technologies. For instance, we engaged Kiswahili speakers in rural areas who are women and gender-nonconforming people building technology with and for their community. +
+ ++ For Mozilla, it’s important to support projects that are relevant and important to people in their own context. The people doing the work are from the places that will benefit most, ensuring solutions are grounded in local realities and driven by those with deep community insight and lived experience. +
+ ++ Mozilla is leaning into its strengths of building relationships on the ground with developers, activists, policymakers and academics. Our role is to fuel grassroots movements while also connecting with influential leaders. With our renewed focus in the coming year, we will be even more effective in driving significant change and supporting a technology ecosystem that benefits the most vulnerable communities in the world. +
+Authenticating Digital
Media at Capture
+ Truepic develops secure camera technology and image verification solutions that authenticate digital content at the moment of capture. By embedding cryptographic proofs and detailed metadata into each photo and video, Truepic certifies the origin, date, and integrity of digital media. This technology is invaluable across industries—from insurance companies verifying claims with tamper-proof photos to news organizations confirming the authenticity of user-generated content. By providing a verifiable chain of custody for visual media, Truepic combats deepfakes and image manipulation, fostering trust in digital interactions. +
+ ++ Truepic’s solutions empower businesses and individuals alike to ensure the authenticity of visual media. By supporting transparency and accountability, the company plays a crucial role in sectors like finance, insurance, journalism, and human rights documentation. Truepic is paving the way toward a more trustworthy digital ecosystem where seeing is believing. +
+Open-Source Framework
for Federated Learning
+ Flower is an open-source framework that enables federated learning, allowing developers to train machine learning models across distributed devices and servers without centralizing data. Addressing concerns over data privacy and security, Flower lets data remain on local devices while facilitating collaborative model training. This approach enhances privacy and reduces risks associated with data breaches and compliance issues. Designed to be flexible and interoperable, Flower supports a range of machine learning libraries and platforms, making it accessible for organizations aiming to implement federated learning in their AI projects. +
+ ++ By promoting a decentralized approach to AI development, Flower addresses key ethical concerns such as data ownership and user consent. Their technology fosters a more inclusive and privacy-conscious AI ecosystem, ensuring that advancements in machine learning do not come at the expense of user trust and data security. +
+Open-Source AI Models
for Accessible Innovation
+ Nous develops advanced, open-source AI models and tools to make artificial intelligence accessible to a wider audience. By creating large language models (LLMs) and AI technologies that anyone can use, modify, and build upon, Nous aims to democratize AI development. Their open-source approach breaks down barriers to entry in AI, fostering a community-driven ecosystem where innovation thrives. +
+ ++ Developers and organizations can leverage Nous’s AI models to create customized solutions tailored to their unique needs without being locked into proprietary systems. By promoting transparency and collaboration, Nous addresses ethical concerns surrounding AI, such as bias, accountability, and the concentration of technological power. Nous contributes to a more equitable and innovative AI landscape, empowering users worldwide to participate in shaping the technology that increasingly influences our lives. +
+Senior Director, Product Marketing - Firefox
++ When I first came to California in 2004 I ended up working for a very, very big tech company when they were still comparatively small, in Mountain View. I spent weeks in the office before someone informed me that I was indeed in Silicon Valley. +
+ ++ Back then the stakes felt smaller, the dreams bigger. I dressed up like a multi-level marketing werewolf for Halloween that year – the monsters of the internet were smaller and easier to slay. +
+ ++ I found small groups of people working incredibly quickly to test out new ideas. There was room for an English major like me alongside the computer scientists, the database engineers, and the business people in polo shirts. You could sketch something out on a whiteboard and see it in code days later. +
+ ++ Just down the road Mozilla was busy launching Firefox. A browser built in public that championed open source, invited participation, and caught on because it was simply better. This browser inspired enough passion that people chipped in together for an ad in the New York Times telling the world it was time for a change. Firefox was a spark that came from principled beliefs and grew because it belonged to everyone. +
+ ++ Since those naive and driven early days, I’ve lived and worked through numerous sea changes in the way information travels. What was originally a finite set of links has mutated into interlocking networks of distraction, inspiration, competing agendas, on-demand temptations, and clickbait engineered to hold your attention. It’s easy to be nostalgic for simpler times, but I’m here because I want to build the future. A place where the internet reverts from consumption back to connection, and where small ideas can bloom on their own merit. +
+Staff Product Policy Manager
++ My professional life began with human rights and humanitarian organizations and later transitioned into active roles in the policy space of technology companies like Google and TikTok, which make millions of decisions every day that profoundly impact people’s lives, both online and offline. I led and contributed to policy responses with critical implications, such as managing the role of monetized products during a global pandemic or ensuring election security. My time working at the world’s largest global platforms also provided me exposure to projects that directly impact user experience, like formulating responses to spam and fraud. I take the responsibility of working at a tech company very seriously because, through the many policy initiatives I worked on, I had a front-row seat to observing that building products is not merely about business decisions but about initiatives that fundamentally impact people’s lives. +
+ ++ With this awareness, joining Mozilla was a natural next step in my professional and personal journey. Mozilla doesn't just build products that people love but does so from a principled, mission-oriented perspective, actively shaping global tech regulation to prioritize the privacy and security of people's everyday online experiences. At Mozilla, I have the privilege of observing every day the uncompromising public policy work we undertake that puts the well-being of our users front and center. Being part of that journey and contributing to making the internet a truly more open and inclusive place is a professional opportunity I’m grateful for. +
+VP, Strategic Communications
++ I joined Mozilla because it knits together several longstanding passions of mine. I trained as a journalist – a fact checker, staff writer, book author and eat-what-you-kill reporter – first in Washington, DC and then in Nairobi. And then I attended law school, where I met our executive director Nabiha Syed, and like her focused on intellectual property, media freedom, internet privacy, the frontier aries of digital law, even policy work with the government of Iceland. I also got an MBA for good measure. Over eight years working within platform companies – I hope we’ll stop using the blanket term “big tech”– I built strategies for news organisations, movie studios, record labels, independent artists, and YouTube creators. +
+ ++ These experiences gave me the conviction that the future of our offline society depends on expert observation, interdisciplinary decision making, design thinking, and strong business judgment. And creativity and co-creation remains at the very heart of what I believe technology is good for. +
+ ++ Mozilla presents the opportunity to harness these insights for a fresh moment for co-creation. My number one role is to be a periscope for the organisation – to help the changemakers, builders and advocates inside Mozilla understand the world outside, and find ways to reconnect with a public that has changed over Mozilla’s first 25 years. The second function is to make Mozilla a lighthouse for the communities that have felt swept aside or left behind by the concentration of technology. Either because the conversation is trapped in Silicon Valley, or based on market power from some of the companies I sat inside, or based on the blind spots of movement tech organising, that overlook the less engaged communities that are at highest risk of badly-built defaults. +
+ ++ Mozilla offers an unreal opportunity to learn from longtime advocacy experts, and to speak with the knowledge I have earned sitting at the intersection of story and technology, law and policy. I look forward to partnering with creative industry stakeholders yet again as they confront the challenges of Generative AI and new frontiers in copyright. As someone who is based in Europe, who is of Africa, who was born American, I look forward to continuing Mozilla’s fully global approach to whom we speak and to whom we listen. +
+Director, Planning & Special Initiatives
++ In 2004 I urgently called my parents from college. “Can you buy a few copies of the print edition of the New York Times tomorrow? There’s an ad in it for a web browser – it’s open source!” +
+ ++ “Huh?!” I’m sure my parents asked. “It’s a lot faster,” I must have told them. “And it really works better on Mac OS X. And it’s not Internet Explorer… And I helped fund the promotion! My name’s in the paper.” +
+ ++ I imagine they laughed, shook their heads, and then, of course, bought a few newspapers. When I arrived home for winter break, copies of the Spread Firefox ad were proudly laid out in my room. +
+ ++ Now, twenty years after that initial donation, I can’t quite believe that I’m joining Mozilla. +
+ ++ Having spent my career at the intersection of technology and society – be it as a tech reporter, researcher, computational biology start-upper, or doing strategic planning for research and policy in big tech – I’ve learned that building better technology requires one to know what’s technically possible and what is humanly advantageous. +
+ ++ That’s why I’m so excited to be at the Mozilla Foundation today. The Foundation's ability to be a partner to technologists, activists, artists, and corporations provides an opportunity to apply my experience translating between differently expert audiences along with my cross-functional planning abilities… to make a better technology future for us all. Where else, if not Mozilla, is there a place where everyone is invited to help imagine, translate, and co-create a better technology future? +
+Senior Fellow, Trustworthy AI
2022-2023
Ireland
+ Dr. Abeba Birhane is a cognitive scientist researching human behavior, social systems, and responsible and ethical artificial intelligence (AI). Her interdisciplinary research explores broad themes in cognitive science, AI, complexity science, and theories of decoloniality. More specifically, Dr. Birhane examines the challenges and pitfalls of computational models (and datasets) from a conceptual, empirical, and critical perspective. +
+ ++ Abeba conducted a comparative audit of datasets used by large generative models, specifically LAION-400M and LAION-2B-en. She discovered the presence of hateful content within these datasets, which contributed to the associated models producing societal biases and negative stereotypes. Abeba also assessed aliency cropping algorithms, the AI tool that automatically crops photos in social media feeds. This work was inspired by a Twitter user who experimented with the algorithm, witnessing it crop a Black man out of a photo and prioritize a white man. To investigate further, Abeba and her collaborators examined the cropping tools used by Twitter, Apple, and Google. She and her collaborators discovered the cropping tools consistently favored white individuals over Black individuals. In addition, they observed a tendency to objectify women by emphasizing their bodies rather than their faces, reflecting the "male gaze." +
+Senior Fellow, Tech Policy
2023-2025
Brazil
+ Tarcizio Silva is a Brazilian researcher and technologist based in São Paulo. Previously, he was a Mozilla Tech and Society fellow embedded at Ação Educativa, developing educational awareness projects about technology, the internet, and racism. He is a PhD researcher (UFABC) and UFBA alumni, author of the book "Algorithmic Racism: artificial intelligence and discrimination in digital media," and creator of the curatorial project Desvelar on decolonial thinking about technology and media. +
+ ++ Tarcizio contributes to AI-related policy and regulatory developments and debates in Brazil. He pays particular attention to the replication of existing discriminatory practices in the country, such as structural racism against Black populations by AI systems. More specifically, his project will explore the impact of AI systems on human rights online and the promotion of various social justice issues. It will engage with diverse stakeholders in Brazil who work with impacted communities and influence the adoption of accountable and transparent AI policies. +
+Senior Fellow, Tech Policy
2023-2025
Hungary
+ Julia Keserű is an activist and writer working at the intersection of technology and justice. Over the past 15 years she has advised numerous organizations on their data and technology strategies, written extensively about the challenges and opportunities of data-driven systems, and led diverse global teams to create a healthier and safer online world. Julia is the Executive Director of The Engine Room, a globally distributed team that helps social justice activists use data in strategic, responsible, and safe ways. +
+ ++ Julia’s fellowship will explore the role that bodily integrity could play in tech industry regulation. This will be done through mixed-method research into how the inviolability of the physical body has become a key concept in other, more heavily regulated fields such as health care, and draw potential parallels for the tech policy agenda. This will most notably focus on pending AI regulation and data protection regimes in the EU and the U.S. Her project will culminate in recommendations to increase the protection of integrity and dignity. +
++ Deborah Raji is a Mozilla fellow and CS PhD student at University of California, Berkeley, who is interested in questions on algorithmic auditing and evaluation. In the past, she worked closely with the Algorithmic Justice League initiative to highlight bias in deployed AI products. She has also worked with Googleʼs Ethical AI team and been a research fellow at the Partnership on AI and AI Now Institute at New York University working on various projects to operationalize ethical considerations in ML engineering practice. Recently, she was named to Forbes 30 Under 30, MIT Tech Review 35 Under 35 Innovators and TIME100 Most Influential People in AI. +
++ Manuel Sainsily is a Senior AI Advocate at Unity, and XR Instructor at McGill University & UMass Boston. Born in Guadeloupe, and Canadian citizen based in Montreal, he is a trilingual public speaker, designer, and educator with over a decade of experience who champions the responsible use and understanding of artificial intelligence. From delivering a TED talk and speaking at worldwide tech conferences, to producing events with Meta and OpenAI, Manuel amplifies the conversation around emerging technologies and culture preservation through powerful keynotes and curated events. +
++ Dr. Gemma Galdon-Clavell is a pioneer and global force in AI safety and auditing, ensuring that machine learning tools truly serve society. She is the founder and CEO of Eticas.ai, a venture-backed organization that identifies, measures and corrects algorithmic vulnerabilities, bias and inefficiencies in predictive and LLM tools. Eticas’ software, the ITACA platform, is the first solution to automate impact analysis and monitoring, ensuring that AI systems are high performing and safe, explainable, fair and trustworthy. +
+ ++ Dr. Galdon-Clavell’s impactful work – and passion for disrupting the status quo – earned her recognition as a Hispanic Star Awardee at the United Nations in 2023, an Ashoka Fellow in 2020 and a finalist at the EU Prize for Women Innovators awarded by the European Commission in 2017. In 2023 the BBC acknowledged her as one of the “people changing the world” and in 2024 she was honored by Forbes Women as one of the “35 Leading Spanish Women in Technology”, praised as “a pioneer in algorithmic auditing software”. +
+ ++ Dr. Galdon-Clavell is an active advisor to international and regional institutions such as the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the European Commission, among others. She is also a sought-after speaker, with recent engagements at high-level fora like the US-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), re:publica or TEDx. Her comments on AI developments have been captured in Wired, Business Insider, Forbes and Computer Weekly. +
++ In order to… +
++ Reclaim the internet (and AI), making it open and accessible to all. +
++ North star +
++ Anyone and any community can shape, enjoy and trust AI. +
++ Mission +
++ Create products and programs that build a bridge from fear to hope. +
++ Strategic Pillar +
++ Create products that let people interact with the web in joy and are financially successful. +
++ Strategic Pillar +
++ Open source building blocks that anyone can build a product, company, project with. +
++ Strategic Pillar +
++ A decentralized, public interest orientation for AI, balancing social and commercial benefit. +
+{{ blockquote_1_text }}+
+ We know the internet has the potential to be even better. But we can only + get there if we work together. Join us as this next chapter begins. +
++++ Mozilla is a product company and a rights defender and a + social movement, working at all times to center humanity, + not just technology–and ensure that the future serves us. +
+ +
+++ We’ve started to become something closer to a Mozilla.org + for the current era — grounded in our roots, but with a + growing mosaic of companies, programs, and projects doing + for AI what we did for the web. +
+ +
{{ desc }}
+ {% endif %} + {% if cta_text %} ++ {{ cta_text }} +
+ {% endif %} ++ Mozilla stands for putting people and communities in control of how technology shows up in their lives. In 1998, that meant taking the web in a better direction. In 2024, it means doing the same for AI, and making sure that open source wins again in the AI era. +
++ Why? Because data and AI have become fundamental building blocks with which we create the digital tools we all use everyday. And, as it was with the web 25 years ago, whoever controls these building blocks — and how they work — has a tremendous impact on our agency, our relationships, and our lives. +
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