Mozilla has named Anthony Enzor-DeMeo as its new CEO, a move that comes as the organization behind the Firefox browser seeks to navigate a fast-evolving browser landscape. This leadership change arrives during a period of renewed energy in the web browser space, driven largely by artificial intelligence transforming how people interact with the internet.

After years of market dominance, established players like Firefox, Google Chrome, and Apple’s Safari are now confronting innovative competition from companies such as Perplexity, Arc, OpenAI, and Opera. These challengers are integrating AI models and agents directly into their browsers, aiming to deliver AI capabilities at the very first touchpoint users have with the web.

Mozilla, an organization comprising both the for-profit Mozilla Corporation—which develops Firefox—and the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation that oversees governance and policy, appears keenly aware of these shifts. The company has faced recent difficulties, undergoing a restructuring, laying off 30% of its workforce last year, and scaling back its advocacy and global programs.

Nevertheless, the opportunity to reassert itself in today’s competitive browser environment seems recognized. In a blog post announcing his appointment, Enzor-DeMeo stated that Mozilla will be investing in AI and introducing AI features into Firefox. At the same time, the company aims to avoid alienating users who prefer Firefox specifically for its current lack of such features; Enzor-DeMeo emphasized that AI functionalities will be optional across Firefox and other products.

“AI should always be a choice—something people can easily turn off. People should know why a feature works the way it does and what value they get from it,” he wrote.

Beyond AI, Mozilla plans to diversify its revenue streams, which currently rely significantly on its partnership with Google as the default search engine. Enzor-DeMeo also indicated ambitions to expand Firefox into “a broader ecosystem of trusted software.”

Currently, Mozilla’s portfolio includes the Thunderbird email client, a VPN service, and an AI-powered website builder for small businesses launched last year. Prior to his promotion, Enzor-DeMeo served as general manager of Firefox, succeeding interim CEO Laura Chambers, who held the position for the past couple of years. His background includes product roles at Roofstock, Better, and Wayfair.