Chrome 148 Quietly Downloads 4GB of AI Data: What You Need to Know, How to Stop It

Chrome 148 Quietly Downloads 4GB of AI Data: What You Need to Know, How to Stop It What Happened: The 4GB Download Explained Recent reports, including one from Gizchina.com, have highlighted that Google Chrome version 148 is downloading a large AI model file—roughly four gigabytes—in the background without explicit user consent. Users on Windows, macOS, and Linux have noticed the download happening automatically after updating to Chrome 148. The file is apparently intended to power on‑device AI features such as smart history search, AI‑powered tab grouping, or future generative tools that run locally rather than in the cloud. ...

May 11, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk