Mozilla’s MZLA Technologies has launched a new open-source AI client called Thunderbolt, designed specifically for enterprises looking to implement self-hosted chatbots on their own infrastructure. MZLA, a for-profit subsidiary of the Mozilla Foundation known for the Thunderbird email client, received backing from Mozilla to develop Thunderbolt.
Despite its unfortunate naming—especially given Intel’s trademark on "Thunderbolt"—this new AI client is presented as a "sovereign AI client." It enables organizations to leverage their own AI models, whether they are sophisticated cloud-based models or local open-source options.
Thunderbolt allows firms to connect with their internal data through Deepset’s Haystack framework and adhere to industry-standard protocols like MCP and ACP. This setup enables companies to automate workflows and manage tasks efficiently by integrating AI with their existing software and data systems.
Ryan Sipes, CEO of MZLA Technologies, emphasized the importance of keeping AI capabilities in-house: “AI is too important to outsource. With Thunderbolt, we’re giving organisations a sovereign AI client that allows them to decide how AI fits into their workflows—on their infrastructure, with their data, and on their terms.”
Users will have the ability to interact with AI for tasks such as chat and research through a web client or dedicated applications available for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Additionally, there are plans for a managed hosted version for enterprises that prefer an easier deployment option.
While Thunderbolt is primarily targeted at enterprises, it remains open-source, allowing anyone to host it locally. The code is available on GitHub, but potential users are advised to watch for ongoing developments as the technology is still undergoing a security audit to ensure readiness for enterprise environments.
For more information and updates, interested parties can visit the Thunderbolt website and sign up for the waitlist.