LibreOffice has said it does not plan to include AI in the software’s default configuration, according to reporting by TechCrunch. The open source office suite links that position to privacy and user control, framing the absence of built-in AI as a product feature rather than a missing capability.

While this is not a regulatory development, it is relevant to European businesses because it reflects a broader market choice: whether workplace software should connect by default to AI services, or whether organisations should decide separately if, when and how AI is introduced into everyday document workflows.

What happened

LibreOffice, the maker of the open source document editor and office suite, said it has no plans to add AI to the software’s default setup. The reported reason is user privacy.

Based on the source, this is a product positioning decision rather than a ban on AI use in general. It signals that LibreOffice does not want AI features automatically embedded in the standard user experience by default.

Why it matters for European businesses

Many business software vendors are adding generative AI functions directly into office, search and collaboration tools. That can improve drafting, summarisation and workflow speed, but it can also raise practical questions about where data is processed, whether documents are sent to external services, and how administrators control those connections.

LibreOffice’s stance matters because some European organisations, especially SMEs and regulated sectors, are becoming more selective about which AI features they enable in core productivity tools. For these businesses, a default configuration without AI may be attractive for several reasons:

• Privacy and data minimisation: companies may prefer tools that do not automatically route content into AI systems.
• Control over adoption: IT teams can assess AI tools separately instead of accepting them as part of a standard office package.
• Compliance and governance: organisations with stricter internal policies may want clearer oversight of how employee documents are handled.
• Open source strategy: businesses looking to reduce dependence on large software ecosystems may see this as aligned with broader digital sovereignty goals.

For European companies, this does not mean AI-free software is always the better option. In many cases, AI features can deliver real productivity gains. The practical issue is whether businesses want those capabilities enabled by default, or introduced only after internal review.

Who may be affected

• SMEs evaluating lower-cost office software and balancing productivity against privacy concerns.
• IT teams responsible for software governance, data handling and user access policies.
• Regulated businesses that need tighter control over documents, internal communications and third-party data flows.
• Founders and operations leaders deciding whether AI should be embedded across everyday workflows or deployed more selectively.
• Digital agencies and service firms handling client materials that may require stronger confidentiality controls.

What companies should consider

• Review office software defaults: check whether current tools include AI functions by default and what data those features may process.
• Separate AI strategy from software procurement: choosing productivity software and choosing AI services do not have to be the same decision.
• Assess document sensitivity: identify which teams work with contracts, customer data, financial information or confidential client files before enabling AI features broadly.
• Confirm admin controls: where AI features are available, verify whether they can be disabled, restricted or configured at organisation level.
• Document internal policy: define when employees may use AI tools for drafting, summarising or analysis, and when manual handling is required.

LibreOffice’s announcement is not, by itself, a major market shift. But it is a useful signal that in business software, not embedding AI can now be a deliberate product decision. For European businesses, that makes software selection less about whether AI exists at all, and more about governance, privacy and operational control.