Why Brave Needs a Privacy-First AI Revolution
Brave has always been about giving users control over their privacy and data. But as AI becomes central to the browsing experience, I believe it’s time for Brave to take the next step and replace Leo AI with a truly privacy-centric AI assistant that sets a new standard in the industry.
The Problem with Leo AI
Leo AI is privacy-focused, carrying forward Brave’s commitment to protecting user data and minimizing external data exposure. However, it falls short when it comes to efficiency and productivity. Many users find that while Leo respects privacy, its performance and responsiveness are not robust enough for seamless, high-quality work within the Brave ecosystem. Users expect more: an AI that not only champions privacy but also delivers industry-leading performance, going beyond offerings like Comet and Atlas browsers.
Proposed Solution: A Next-Generation Privacy-First AI Assistant
I propose removing Leo AI and implementing a completely redesigned AI assistant built from the ground up with these core principles:
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Zero Personal Data Collection
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No conversation logs stored on external servers
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No user profiling or behavioral tracking
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No data used for training or improvement without explicit consent
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Complete anonymization of any necessary telemetry
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Local AI Processing Options
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On-device AI models for common tasks (no internet required)
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Users choose between local processing (maximum privacy) or cloud-based (enhanced capabilities)
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Clear indicators showing which processing method is active
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Ability to download and run fully local models
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Open-Source Model Choices
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Users can select from multiple AI models (commercial and open-source)
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Transparency about model capabilities, limitations, and training data
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Community-vetted models available through Brave’s ecosystem
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Support for self-hosted AI endpoints for advanced users
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Customizable Privacy Settings
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Granular controls over what data the AI can access (tabs, history, bookmarks, etc.)
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Per-site permissions for AI features
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Easy toggle to disable AI completely without losing functionality
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Privacy-first defaults that users can optionally relax
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Enhanced Features & Performance
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Smarter contextual assistance: Better understanding of webpage content without compromising privacy
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Integrated summarization: Privacy-respecting article and video summaries
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Secure code assistance: Help with programming tasks using local models
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Privacy-preserving search: AI-enhanced search that doesn’t track queries
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Translation: On-device translation for maximum privacy
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Content filtering: AI-powered ad and tracker blocking improvements
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Transparency & User Control
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Clear documentation of how the AI works
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Real-time privacy dashboard showing AI activity
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Audit logs of AI operations (stored locally only)
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Easy data export and deletion
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Security First
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Sandboxed AI execution environment
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Regular security audits of AI components
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Protection against prompt injection and AI manipulation attacks
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No cross-contamination between user sessions
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Why This Matters
Browsers like Comet and Atlas are already offering advanced AI features, but they don’t have Brave’s DNA of privacy and user empowerment. Brave has the opportunity to leapfrog the competition by building an AI assistant that:
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Respects users completely: No compromises on privacy
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Gives users choice: Multiple models, processing options, and customization
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Stays transparent: Open about capabilities and limitations
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Leads the industry: Sets the standard for privacy-first AI
Call to Action
I believe this is the future Brave users want and deserve. We don’t need another generic AI assistant—we need one that embodies Brave’s values and pushes the entire industry toward better privacy practices.
What do you think?
What AI features are most important to you?
What privacy guarantees would you want from a Brave AI assistant?
Would you prefer local processing even if it meant slightly reduced capabilities?
What other features should be included?
Let’s discuss how Brave can build the most privacy-respecting AI assistant in the browser market and show the world that powerful AI and strong privacy aren’t mutually exclusive.
Together, we can help Brave create an AI assistant that truly puts users first.