Can I turn off the "AI Tools"

Russ White · 2025-02-09T02:58:13+00:00

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Y'all —

Suddenly there are little "AI prompts" all over the place in Logos. I cannot begin to tell y'all how much I loath this "creeping fascination with AI." See, for instance, the attached screen shot and the "Summarize" button.

I know most folks don't like to think for themselves, nor do they want to do the hard work of actually reading, writing a sermon, writing a paper, etc. … I'm not one of them. In fact, I consider this entire "AI craze" absolutely destructive.

Is there any way to turn this garbage off?

I understand Faithlife wants to sell "AI Credits," and they want to force it down our throats, but …

STOP!

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Comments

Justin Gatlin

Sorry, there is no way to turn off individual features in Logos.

Russ White

Then I will begin the process of exporting my library to some other format I can use, and remove it from my system. Forcing this garbage down my throat is unacceptable.

Mark Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357423#Comment_1357423

Of course you should do as you want, but I wonder where offering features crosses the line with forcing garbage down one's throat. It might help Logos to know where that line is in case others feel as you do.

Aaron Hamilton

You can eliminate the use of AI and remove most of the AI prompts by turning off "Use Internet" in Program Settings. Just remember to turn it back on from time to time for downloading books and updates.

Russ White

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357425#Comment_1357425

When you do not allow users to turn it off, especially when it litters your screen with buttons that constantly try to grab your attention.

As for second question, I do not care "how many." "Populr" and "right" are not always related.

MJ. Smith

@Russ White

I can understand not wanting to use it as I rarely use it myself — however, in the use cases where I use it I find it very helpful. But so far, Logos has not crossed the line of requiring that we use it and there are only a few places where the AI spark shows for me.

John

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357423#Comment_1357423

You can simply install an older version of Logos. One dated before they began inserting AI.

Another option is to simply not pay for subscription, then it will be disabled.

Russ White

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357436#Comment_1357436

It's on everywhere. Every screen, every book, every search, everything. It is extraordinarily annoying to have it constantly sitting there.

Russ White

Then why am I paying for upgrades/subscriptions?

This is a "murder puppy" situation, and it's really passive-aggressive. "That feature you really want? It comes with all these things you don't want, and we will NOT allow you to turn anything off because WE KNOW BETTER THAN YOU, and this other new feature we won't allow you to turn off makes us a lot of money!"

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357445#Comment_1357445

Excellent suggestions … I do both. Well, ok, all '3' …. older version, no subscription, and web/off. I have plenty of AI in my own software, right in the places it belongs (OL analytics).

But I agree with Russ … there's an odd penchant at Bellingham High to force their neato ideas, knowing full well a portion of the customers will want an 'off' switch. It's like they can't help themselves, they're so enamored with their neato-ness. It can't possibly be 'garbage'. I'd go further … false teaching (shhh).

This isn't the first example. And I can (sort of) guarantee, there'll be more. Earn those subscriber fees. You have to admit (not really) … what else can they burn into the app but more stuff? I still wish I could turn of 'Factbook' … it's like cockroach droppings all over the place (and almost never works when I want something).

Back to AI.

Justin Gatlin

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357457#Comment_1357457

This comment about making lots of money and your original post about selling AI credits makes me think you may misunderstand that. AI credits are included in your subscription. It is not possible to buy more. So it isn't a sales pitch in your software, it's a tool to use what you already have.

I don't use summarization often but when I do, I use it like search. It is not a way for a scrupulous pastor to skip reading, but it is occasionally a useful way to scan one of my tens of thousands of resources to pick what to read and what isn't really relevant.

For me, ignoring the stuff that I'll never use like the sermon outline generator is a lot less work than exploring everything out of the software. But your mileage may vary.

Russ White

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357463#Comment_1357463

Ah… I thought you could purchase AI credits someplace, because it's constantly reminding me about how many I have. The indicator on the bottom left that always says: "you have notifications," and the notification is just a constant reminder of how many AI credits I have … it's like the orange light in a car that's on all the time and doesn't mean anything.

If I would have known the only thing I'd be receiving when subscribing was this AI feature set, I wouldn't have done so. However … the marketing around the features is a bit … odd. Five or six of my friends who know I'm a heavy Logos user have called me asking why they must "get a subscription" to keep their features. I know Logos has said "this isn't true," and yet it's something just about everyone I know who's received Logos marketing emails has called me and asked about—because it's clear from the marketing emails that you must subscribe for two years to "keep your features."

Logos appears to keep feature sets a big secret, and marketing emails are often misleading. This often feels like it's an intentional dark pattern.

Russ White

I agree on factbook, as well. When I've talked to them in the past, their reasoning is always something like this: "If people can turn it off, they'll forget how to turn it back on, and then we'll get support calls, which costs us money." I tried to get them to give Logos users a private key to encrypt all the data they enter—prayer lists, sermon notes, etc.—as a simple matter of ensured privacy for users. They wouldn't entertain the idea because: "People will lose their passwords, and we won't be able to recover them, which will make users mad and costs us money in support cases."

There was little concern about people becoming upset of the obvious possibility of a data breach exposing very private things, like prayer lists, because people don't apparently care about privacy any longer … So I just don't use any of those parts of Logos. It's strictly a research engine… I don't even keep notes on the Scriptures in Logos, I keep them in a separate software package (specifically OneNote).

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357471#Comment_1357471

Me as well … notes outside. I had that discussion with Bob at L4 … forcing notes uploading raw. Later, even worse, they're claiming rights to access.

MJ. Smith

It's on everywhere. Every screen, every book, every search, everything. It is extraordinarily annoying to have it constantly sitting there.

We obviously use Logos very differently as I don't have it on every screen or every book. I do have it on the three most common searches and on three of the tools. Unfortunately, like Logos and like many in the IT community, I am not keen on an option to turn it off — too many users turn features on and off by accident and haven't a clue as to what the "computer" did wrong. But it would certainly be appropriate to add a request for the ability to turn it on/off especially as part of a request to have something resembling an airplane mode.

Ah… I thought you could purchase AI credits someplace, because it's constantly reminding me about how many I have. The indicator on the bottom left that always says: "you have notifications," and the notification is just a constant reminder of how many AI credits I have … it's like the orange light in a car that's on all the time and doesn't mean anything.

Interesting as you only see the AI credit meter if you have used some; it reset to "missing" once a month. Do you know which AI feature you are actually using?

NetworkGeek

I am not sure what the third search is that @MJ. Smith is referring to, but for at least 2 of the AI-enhanced searches, you can turn AI off in a way you will never see it again @Russ White If on the Bible and Books search, if YOU select 'Precise', as the search type (not 'Smart'), you not only turn off the AI involvement in the search, but Smart will never come on again unless you bring it back. Close the Search panel and reopen it, it re-opens as 'Precise' - just like the pre-AI searching versions of Logos.

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357423#Comment_1357423

You cannot export Logos books to another format or platform if that’s what you mean. If you don’t want AI to show you can either unsubscribe or turn the internet off 🛜 No one is shoving anything down your throat. I personally like AI and it saves time when searching for something unlike the traditional search. AI or no AI you will still search for something in google, so might as well keep AI and get results from your library.

DAL

Russ White

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357503#Comment_1357503

I'm glad you like AI… but just because some people do doesn't mean the only options all users should have is to reduce the overall functionality of the software. People don't like cable companies for just this reason—"take our bundle or you get nothing." I expect better out of Logos.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357501#Comment_1357501

I'm running the beta so I have an AI Bible search which so far I've not found a reason for … but I am certain particular forum members will find very helpful based upon the questions they ask.

Russ White

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357501#Comment_1357501

Hmmm… I see that, but it doesn't seem to be an option in any of the other search types. Thanks for pointing this out for at least these two! 😁

Russ White

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357498#Comment_1357498

I don't think I've ever used any of the AI tools … but there's still a meter down there in the lower left. When the meter isn't there, there's a "1" in the circle, which has always indicated a notification. If I click on the notification, it tells me something about my AI credits. It seems to be "on" all the time.

As for "not turning it off because some users might get confused…" IMHO, this is not acceptable. Should all companies really assume their user base is so dumb that no one can ever figure out how to turn things back on once they've turned them off?

This says something about the way Logos, as a company, perceives their user base. It's not a compliment.

MJ. Smith

@Russ White

I'm glad you like AI… but just because some people do doesn't mean the only options all users should have is to reduce the overall functionality of the software.

Okay, I missed a step in your logic here. You had been doing a good job of presenting you position. But what is the step between "mandatory AI capabilities (which need not be used) " and "reduce the overall functionality".?

MJ. Smith

Hmmm… I see that, but it doesn't seem to be an option in any of the other search types. Thanks for pointing this out for at least these two!

In production, those two are the only two that can use AI - it does not show on any other searched. Because I am running the beta version, I have a third search with an AI option - the Bible search. Again, it is optional.

MJ. Smith

Should all companies really assume their user base is so dumb that no one can ever figure out how to turn things back on once they've turned them off?

Yes, evidence the number of posts in the forums for which the answer is turn on X or turn off Y. Anyone who has worked in IT who had contact with actual clients has a litany of funny stories of smart people having dumb blind spots. My favorite from 35 years ago was from a friend who was a consultant setting up computers for real estate firms. She had a call from an agent that they couldn't get the program to open. In troubleshooting she'd gotten to the point of verifying that the computer was plugged in. To which the agent replied that the electricity was out, but it didn't matter because he was using the computer next to the window. [On the other hand, I borrowed a laptop from MP seminars which started acting up not long before lunch. It took the support fellow 3 tries to recognize that the battery was drained because he had forgotten to plug the laptop in.]

DMB

Folks are getting excited about someone wanting to turn off AI! Next thing, they'll want to turn off web access. Oops. Let's see … check spelling … oops again. Well, anyway turning off AI is just not right.

Today, I got an email from the Big A on AI summarizing my Scribe notes. Gee .. I'm not forced to turn off the web, or not updating my Kindle … it's already 'off' to Amazon intrusions. Nice and courteous.

And … I happily get emails from the Big A … helpful.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357521#Comment_1357521

Flashing red lights! More flashing red light! "turning off AI is just not right" — no, it is just a use of limited resources which could better be spent on [enter your most annoying bug]. While there are many users rightly concerned about the use of AI, especially its use when not specifically requested, its presence in the interface has not created a groundswell of opposition. My sympathies lie with those who are concerned with the misuse, overuse, and inadvertent use of AI technology.

Mark Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357432#Comment_1357432

So, if Logos had a setting to turn off all AI features, notices, buttons and badges, would that take care of your concern?

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357524#Comment_1357524

I knew that was next!

GregW

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357470#Comment_1357470

Actually the "remaining credits" circle was overwhelmingly requested by users, and was a response by Logos to large numbers of people demanding that there should be a way of knowing how much credit we have remaining.

Aaron Hamilton

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357595#Comment_1357595

True, but there was also talk of implementing the feature in such a way that users would have a choice whether or not to see it.

DMB

I don't see it. Of course, by disabling Logos/web functionality. The nice thing about the Mac version of Verbum, is once you turn the web off in settings, it needs a re-start to reach the web again. Else it doesn't know how to turn on again.

Yasmin Stephen

Maybe Logos should issue a set of blinders with each subscription.

Off-topic, but someone should create a feedback request for this … I'll vote for it for forum usage 😎

Jonathan Booth

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1358125#Comment_1358125

But some good points, Jonathan. More on dyslexia and using Logos probably would be helpful to the developers.

Russ White

MJ. Smith

@Jonathan Booth Thanks for taking the time to remind us to think of the needs of others, not just ourselves, when thinking of Logos features.

Russ White

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1358125#Comment_1358125

Request: "Allow users to turn off the AI features."

Answer: "You need a set of blinders, you're stupid, and since Logos is a Christian company and you disagree with them, you're not a Christian."

Very helpful all around. Thanks.

Russ White

"I wish people would think about this from a godly perspective before casting stones like this thread started off to be and with others chiming in… Is it too much to ask Christians to actually act like it? This thread sure makes it seem that way…"

That's pretty close to saying I'm not a Christian, IMHO.

Is it too much to ask that folks think about people who think differently than they do? Does humbleness never run in that direction?

There are people out here who actually struggle with busy, sparkly interfaces. There are folks who actually modify every user interface they can to hide things they don't use to make the interface less distracting. There are folks who keep their desks completely clean, and cannot cook without first cleaning the sink out. Minds work that way sometimes.

These people don't count, though, because there are other people who enjoy using these tools, and cannot figure out how to turn it back on if they turn it off. So we must cater to one part of the Christian community at the expense of all others …

I didn't say I think these AI tools are dumb, or useless, or … I (personally) don't like their broad and general use because I think AI they are going to destroy intellectual virtue. OTOH, I would not advocate not allowing other people to use them if they like.

But I don't want them in a "prize position" in the user interface. Allow me to put the AI tool in a button on a switchable bar someplace, instead of constantly cluttering up my workspace with things I don't want to use.

Asking for such a thing, however, is "not humble."

MJ. Smith

I used this thread to experiment on a new (to me) way to report a thread that was devolving into insults without any single person or post being responsible. Sorry if I've caused anyone any grief, it didn't work the way I expected.😳

Russ White

That's fine … I'm trying to find a way to remove my account from these forums, if possible. They are beyond unhelpful.

Aaron Hamilton

@Russ White did you take note of my suggestion earlier to turn off "Use Internet" in Program Settings? In your shoes, I think I would find that to at least be a step in the right direction. At any rate, I'm sorry to hear of your frustrations.

ASUNDER

I support the toggling off of this AI. A button that we can hide all the little star icons and have it not be used. But still be connected to the internet for the dashboard. (A live chat box would be sweet)
I use it myself; it's just a search engine that responds in a human readable form. But the more customization options the better.

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