Recent reports indicate that Google Chrome has been silently downloading a large AI model, approximately 4GB in size, onto users' computers without explicit consent. This model is part of Chrome's built-in AI features, such as the 'Help me write' tool, which aims to provide on-device AI capabilities.
The download occurs automatically when users update Chrome to versions that include these AI features, often without a clear notification. Users have reported the download happening in the background, consuming bandwidth and storage space. The feature is enabled by default in some Chrome channels, including Canary and Dev builds.
To remove the downloaded AI model and disable the feature, users can navigate to Chrome's settings, go to 'Advanced' settings, and under 'Experimental AI' or 'Built-in AI', turn off the 'Help me write' or similar AI features. Additionally, users can delete the downloaded model files manually by locating the 'OnDeviceModelExecution' folder in Chrome's user data directory (typically under 'AppData' on Windows or 'Library' on macOS).
Google has not officially commented on the silent download issue, but the company has stated that these AI features are designed to improve user experience. Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and user consent regarding the download and storage of such large files.
As of May 2026, users are advised to check their Chrome settings and disable AI features if they wish to prevent future downloads. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between convenience and privacy in modern software.
