Ubuntu’s AI plans have Linux users looking for a ‘kill switch’

Canonical’s plan to add AI features to Ubuntu has some users asking for “a version of Ubuntu that does not include these features,” while others say they’ll stick with older versions of the Linux distro or even switch to a different one. After Canonical’s announcement earlier this week that it’s bringing AI features to Ubuntu, replies included requests for an AI “kill switch” or a way to disable the upcoming features, and comparisons to Microsoft’s addition of AI features into Windows 11. Canonical’s VP of engineering, Jon Seager, responded on Tuesday, stating that Canonical isn’t planning to add a “global AI kill switch,” but users will be able to remove any AI features they don’t want.

In his original post, Seager said the upcoming AI features will include accessibility tools like AI speech-to-text and text-to-speech, along with agentic AI features for tasks like troubleshooting and automation. Canonical is also encouraging its engineers to use AI more and plans to begin introducing AI features in Ubuntu “throughout the next year.”

In a follow-up comment, Seager clarified that, “my plan is to introduce AI-backed features as a ‘preview’ on a strictly opt-in basis in [Ubuntu version] 26.10. In subsequent releases, my plan is to have a step in the initial setup wizard that allows the user to choose whether or not they’d like the AI-native features enabled.” Ultimately, he said, “All of these capabilities will be delivered as Snaps to the OS, layered on top of the existing Ubuntu stack. That means there will always be the option of removing those Snaps.”

The ability to remove the Snaps for the AI features, or choose not to install them to begin with, may resolve some users’ concerns, but those who prefer to avoid AI entirely could end up switching to other distributions, including one of the many distros based on Ubuntu, like Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, or Zorin OS. These distros have some similarities to Ubuntu, but may not necessarily adopt the new AI features Canonical is rolling out.

Artyom Zorin, CEO and lead developer of Zorin OS, said in a statement to The Verge that his distribution is “AI agnostic” and that any potential AI features “must adhere to our values of keeping Zorin OS secure, privacy-respecting, and performant.”

Zorin said that some of Ubuntu’s AI features, such as local speech-to-text dictation, “appear to meet these requirements on paper.” “Nevertheless,” he said, “We will review their actual implementations when available to ensure they meet our standards before considering them for inclusion in Zorin OS by default.”