DuckDuckGo’s “Yes AI or No AI” vote ends with 90% choosing “No AI”
DuckDuckGo has wrapped up a public vote that asked users a simple question: “Yes AI” or “No AI.” The final result leaned heavily toward “No AI,” based on the count shown on the campaign page.
The company behind the Internet browser tied the vote to two versions of its search experience. One version reduces AI features and removes the AI button, while the other version increases how often AI-assisted features appear and promotes the AI button more prominently.
Source: DuckDuckGo
AI-first companies should take a note
This result is a warning sign for companies trying to make AI a default layer across products. Microsoft is expanding AI across Windows and Office, while Google is weaving Gemini into more services, including search. When an engaged audience votes “No” so decisively, it suggests default-on AI can trigger pushback, even if users can turn it off later.
One of the most recent examples is the login requirement for Microsoft Paint, which recently received some new AI generative features:
I was prompted to sign into mspaint today. @Microsoft when you look back and wonder what went wrong for Windows…
It was this. This is what went wrong. pic.twitter.com/RjGUPDWjXW
— Linus LinusMediaGroup (@linusgsebastian) January 27, 2026
Of course, the survey may have some bias, DuckDuckGo is a privacy-first browser, so the results will vary in different user demographics. Privacy-focused users are also more likely to vote against added automation in search.
But don’t worry, for now we are not planning to add AI summaries or AI chat to our website. Our articles are already short and clear, so those features are not needed. Hopefully ever.
Source: DuckDuckGO
