LibreOffice 26.8, released on August 26, recorded over 1 million downloads within a week, excluding Linux repository updates, marking its most popular update to date. The free office suite, an alternative to Microsoft Office, has been available for nearly 20 years. The surge followed the software's declaration that it does not include generative AI features, emphasizing privacy concerns, according to manualdousuario.net.
The Document Foundation (TDF), which manages LibreOffice, highlighted the absence of generative AI as a deliberate choice due to privacy issues. A blog post titled "Yes, no AI is now a feature" clarified this stance a day after the download milestone and media attention. Improvements in writing and typography also contributed to the update's appeal among NGOs, government agencies, and offices, but the no-AI position played a key role in attracting users, the source said.
LibreOffice's download record underscores growing user interest in software that prioritizes privacy amid widespread AI integration in office tools. While competitors increasingly embed generative AI, LibreOffice's approach contrasts with market trends, appealing to organizations wary of data privacy risks. The update's success reflects a niche demand for office suites without AI features, positioning LibreOffice uniquely in the productivity software landscape, manualdousuario.net reported.
The Document Foundation's blog post on September 3 reinforced the no-AI policy as a feature, framing it as a privacy safeguard. The 1 million downloads milestone within a week of release demonstrates significant user endorsement of this approach, setting a benchmark for future LibreOffice versions.