How to Disable or Avoid Intrusive AI

"Put on your own oxygen mask first!"

Aside from the common query regarding disappearing cloud storage, the most frequent question I encounter during library Drop-In Time is how to remove or bypass the intrusive AI features that seem to appear everywhere without invitation.

This guide is designed for users who prefer a tech environment with AI-driven "help" minimal AI interference. For a quick link to this resource, visit https://NoToAI.org.

🛠️ Quick Reference Guide

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🤖 Mobile & OS Integration

Android & Gemini

Depending on your device manufacturer, you might be able to simply uninstall the Gemini app. If that isn't an option, use these targeted strikes:

• Messages: Account Picture $\rightarrow$ Messages settings $\rightarrow$ Gemini in Messages $\rightarrow$ Toggle Off.
• General Activity: Profile Icon $\rightarrow$ Gemini Apps activity $\rightarrow$ Turn off (or "Turn off and delete activity").
• Connectivity: Profile Icon $\rightarrow$ Connected Apps (verify the Personal Intelligence setting).
• The Power Button: If Gemini has hijacked your power key:
  1. Navigate to Settings $\rightarrow$ System $\rightarrow$ Gestures.
  2. Modify the Press Hold Power Button behavior.
  3. Alternative: Search "Power key" in the main Settings search bar.

Apple Intelligence & Siri

For those on iPhone 16+ or compatible Macs/iPads:

1. Open Settings (iOS) or System Settings (macOS).
2. Select Apple Intelligence & Siri.
3. Select Turn Off Apple Intelligence in the confirmation dialog.

Note: Apple has a "learn from this application" feature that may remain active even if the main AI is off.

• Mac: System Settings $\rightarrow$ Apple Intelligence & Siri $\rightarrow$ About Siri, Dictation Privacy $\rightarrow$ Disable specific apps.
• iOS: Settings $\rightarrow$ Apple Intelligence & Siri $\rightarrow$ Apps $\rightarrow$ Disable "Learn from this App".

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🌐 Web Browsers & Search

Chromium-Based Browsers (Chrome & Edge)

To kill the AI at the root, you must access the system flags.

Google Chrome:

1. Enter chrome://flags in the address bar.
2. Search for GLIC (Google Live in Chrome) to find AI features.
3. Search for Gemini and set all results to Disabled.
   • Warning: Do not enable settings that are disabled by default.

Microsoft Edge:

1. Enter edge://flags and search for AI or Copilot.
2. Go to Settings $\rightarrow$ Appearance $\rightarrow$ Copilot and sidebar.
3. Perform the following:
   • Turn off the sidebar.
   • Disable "Personalize my top sites in customize sidebar".
   • Disable "Allow sidebar apps to show notifications".
   • Turn off "Show Copilot button on the toolbar".
   • Disable "Show sidebar button".
   • Disable "Use Copilot for writing on the web".

Firefox & Privacy Search

Firefox (version 148+) provides a streamlined way to block AI:

• Settings $\rightarrow$ AI Controls $\rightarrow$ Block AI Enhancements.

Search Engine Alternatives:

• TenBlueLinks: Use this extension in Chrome/Firefox to strip AI "slop" from search results.
• DuckDuckGo (DDG): Use the AI-free version at https://noai.duckduckgo.com. You can set this as your default engine or download the dedicated DDG browser.

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💼 Productivity Software

Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, etc.)

To remove "smart" features from Gmail:

1. Settings (Gear) $\rightarrow$ See all settings $\rightarrow$ General tab.
2. Find Google Workspace smart features $\rightarrow$ Manage Workspace smart feature settings.
3. Toggle OFF:
   • Smart features in Google Workspace
   • Smart features in other Google products
4. Uncheck "Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet".

• Android Users: Find these under Hamburger Menu $\rightarrow$ Settings $\rightarrow$ Account name.

Slack

Admins and owners can mitigate AI via:

• Replies: Settings $\rightarrow$ Chats $\rightarrow$ Suggestions smart replies $\rightarrow$ Off.
• Summaries: Settings $\rightarrow$ Notifications $\rightarrow$ AI message summaries.
• Alternative Path: Settings $\rightarrow$ Chat $\rightarrow$ Private Processing $\rightarrow$ Private Processing Features.

Windows 11 Copilot

Copilot is integrated into both Office 365 and the OS.

• Direct Method: Right-click Copilot in the Start menu $\rightarrow$ Uninstall.
• Settings Method: Start $\rightarrow$ Settings $\rightarrow$ Apps $\rightarrow$ Uninstall Copilot.
• Hard-coded Builds: If uninstalling fails, you must toggle it off via Start $\rightarrow$ Settings.

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📊 Summary Logic

The "AI Noise" in a modern OS can be represented as: $\text{Total Intrusion} = \sum (\text{OS AI} + \text{Browser AI} + \text{App AI})$

To reach a state of $\text{Total Intrusion} = 0$, follow this workflow:

Final Checklist for a Clean Environment

• Adobe Generative AI disabled
• Browser flags set to disabled
• Smart features toggled off in Gmail
• Copilot uninstalled from Windows
• "Learn from this App" disabled on iOS/Mac