diff --git a/packages/compass-e2e-tests/tests/atlas-cloud/collection-ai-query.test.ts b/packages/compass-e2e-tests/tests/atlas-cloud/collection-ai-query.test.ts
index efbddc5477d..374c50d9d9e 100644
--- a/packages/compass-e2e-tests/tests/atlas-cloud/collection-ai-query.test.ts
+++ b/packages/compass-e2e-tests/tests/atlas-cloud/collection-ai-query.test.ts
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ describe('Collection ai query', function () {
         true
       );
       await browser.setFeature('enableGenAIFeaturesAtlasOrg', true);
-      await browser.setFeature('optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures', true);
+      await browser.setFeature('optInGenAIFeatures', true);
     });
 
     describe('on the documents tab', function () {
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ describe('Collection ai query', function () {
         true
       );
       await browser.setFeature('enableGenAIFeaturesAtlasOrg', false);
-      await browser.setFeature('optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures', true);
+      await browser.setFeature('optInGenAIFeatures', true);
     });
 
     it('should not show the gen ai intro button', async function () {
diff --git a/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/atlas-ai-service.spec.ts b/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/atlas-ai-service.spec.ts
index 46e190b742b..193a437acff 100644
--- a/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/atlas-ai-service.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/atlas-ai-service.spec.ts
@@ -321,6 +321,54 @@ describe('AtlasAiService', function () {
           });
         });
       });
+
+      describe('optIntoGenAIFeatures', function () {
+        beforeEach(async function () {
+          // Reset preferences
+          await preferences.savePreferences({
+            optInGenAIFeatures: false,
+            enableUnauthenticatedGenAI: true,
+          });
+        });
+
+        afterEach(async function () {
+          await preferences.savePreferences({
+            enableUnauthenticatedGenAI: false,
+          });
+        });
+
+        it('should save preference when cloud preset', async function () {
+          const fetchStub = sandbox.stub().resolves(makeResponse({}));
+          global.fetch = fetchStub;
+
+          await atlasAiService.optIntoGenAIFeatures();
+
+          // In Data Explorer, make a POST request to cloud endpoint and save preference
+          if (apiURLPreset === 'cloud') {
+            // Verify fetch was called with correct parameters
+            expect(fetchStub).to.have.been.calledOnce;
+
+            expect(fetchStub).to.have.been.calledWith(
+              '/cloud/settings/optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures',
+              {
+                method: 'POST',
+                headers: {
+                  'Content-Type': 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded',
+                  Accept: 'application/json',
+                },
+                body: new URLSearchParams([['value', 'true']]),
+              }
+            );
+          } else {
+            // In Compass, no fetch is made, only stored locally
+            expect(fetchStub).to.not.have.been.called;
+          }
+
+          // Verify preference was saved
+          const currentPreferences = preferences.getPreferences();
+          expect(currentPreferences.optInGenAIFeatures).to.equal(true);
+        });
+      });
     });
   }
 });
diff --git a/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/atlas-ai-service.ts b/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/atlas-ai-service.ts
index d504c1fcc9a..8c5a39b1aa1 100644
--- a/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/atlas-ai-service.ts
+++ b/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/atlas-ai-service.ts
@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@ import type { ConnectionInfo } from '@mongodb-js/compass-connections/provider';
 import type { Document } from 'mongodb';
 import type { Logger } from '@mongodb-js/compass-logging';
 import { EJSON } from 'bson';
-import { signIntoAtlasWithModalPrompt } from './store/atlas-signin-reducer';
 import { getStore } from './store/atlas-ai-store';
 import { optIntoGenAIWithModalPrompt } from './store/atlas-optin-reducer';
+import { signIntoAtlasWithModalPrompt } from './store/atlas-signin-reducer';
 
 type GenerativeAiInput = {
   userInput: string;
@@ -277,6 +277,10 @@ export class AtlasAiService {
   }
 
   async ensureAiFeatureAccess({ signal }: { signal?: AbortSignal } = {}) {
+    if (this.preferences.getPreferences().enableUnauthenticatedGenAI) {
+      return getStore().dispatch(optIntoGenAIWithModalPrompt({ signal }));
+    }
+
     // When the ai feature is attempted to be opened we make sure
     // the user is signed into Atlas and opted in.
 
@@ -391,23 +395,25 @@ export class AtlasAiService {
     );
   }
 
-  // Performs a post request to atlas to set the user opt in preference to true.
-  async optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas() {
-    await this.atlasService.authenticatedFetch(
-      this.atlasService.cloudEndpoint(
-        '/settings/optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures'
-      ),
-      {
-        method: 'POST',
-        headers: {
-          'Content-Type': 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded',
-          Accept: 'application/json',
-        },
-        body: new URLSearchParams([['value', 'true']]),
-      }
-    );
+  async optIntoGenAIFeatures() {
+    if (this.apiURLPreset === 'cloud') {
+      // Performs a post request to Atlas to set the user opt in preference to true.
+      await this.atlasService.authenticatedFetch(
+        this.atlasService.cloudEndpoint(
+          'settings/optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures'
+        ),
+        {
+          method: 'POST',
+          headers: {
+            'Content-Type': 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded',
+            Accept: 'application/json',
+          },
+          body: new URLSearchParams([['value', 'true']]),
+        }
+      );
+    }
     await this.preferences.savePreferences({
-      optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures: true,
+      optInGenAIFeatures: true,
     });
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/store/atlas-optin-reducer.spec.ts b/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/store/atlas-optin-reducer.spec.ts
index 9829e033833..947842f8054 100644
--- a/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/store/atlas-optin-reducer.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/store/atlas-optin-reducer.spec.ts
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
   beforeEach(async function () {
     mockPreferences = await createSandboxFromDefaultPreferences();
     await mockPreferences.savePreferences({
-      optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures: false,
+      optInGenAIFeatures: false,
     });
   });
 
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
   describe('optIn', function () {
     it('should check state and set state to success if already opted in', async function () {
       const mockAtlasAiService = {
-        optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas: sandbox.stub().resolves({ sub: '1234' }),
+        optIntoGenAIFeatures: sandbox.stub().resolves({ sub: '1234' }),
       };
       const store = configureStore({
         atlasAuthService: {} as any,
@@ -45,8 +45,7 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
       );
       void store.dispatch(atlasAiServiceOptedIn());
       await store.dispatch(optIn());
-      expect(mockAtlasAiService.optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas).not.to.have.been
-        .called;
+      expect(mockAtlasAiService.optIntoGenAIFeatures).not.to.have.been.called;
       expect(store.getState().optIn).to.have.nested.property(
         'state',
         'optin-success'
@@ -55,7 +54,7 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
 
     it('should start opt in, and set state to success', async function () {
       const mockAtlasAiService = {
-        optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas: sandbox.stub().resolves({ sub: '1234' }),
+        optIntoGenAIFeatures: sandbox.stub().resolves({ sub: '1234' }),
       };
       const store = configureStore({
         atlasAuthService: {} as any,
@@ -69,8 +68,7 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
       );
       void store.dispatch(optIntoGenAIWithModalPrompt()).catch(() => {});
       await store.dispatch(optIn());
-      expect(mockAtlasAiService.optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas).to.have.been
-        .calledOnce;
+      expect(mockAtlasAiService.optIntoGenAIFeatures).to.have.been.calledOnce;
       expect(store.getState().optIn).to.have.nested.property(
         'state',
         'optin-success'
@@ -81,13 +79,13 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
       beforeEach(async function () {
         await mockPreferences.savePreferences({
           enableGenAIFeaturesAtlasProject: false,
-          optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures: true,
+          optInGenAIFeatures: true,
         });
       });
 
       it('should start the opt in flow', async function () {
         const mockAtlasAiService = {
-          optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas: sandbox.stub().resolves({ sub: '1234' }),
+          optIntoGenAIFeatures: sandbox.stub().resolves({ sub: '1234' }),
         };
         const store = configureStore({
           atlasAuthService: {} as any,
@@ -101,8 +99,7 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
         );
         void store.dispatch(optIntoGenAIWithModalPrompt()).catch(() => {});
         await store.dispatch(optIn());
-        expect(mockAtlasAiService.optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas).to.have.been
-          .calledOnce;
+        expect(mockAtlasAiService.optIntoGenAIFeatures).to.have.been.calledOnce;
         expect(store.getState().optIn).to.have.nested.property(
           'state',
           'optin-success'
@@ -112,9 +109,7 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
 
     it('should fail opt in if opt in failed', async function () {
       const mockAtlasAiService = {
-        optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas: sandbox
-          .stub()
-          .rejects(new Error('Whooops!')),
+        optIntoGenAIFeatures: sandbox.stub().rejects(new Error('Whooops!')),
       };
       const store = configureStore({
         atlasAuthService: {} as any,
@@ -127,8 +122,7 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
       // Avoid unhandled rejections.
       AttemptStateMap.get(attemptId)?.promise.catch(() => {});
       await optInPromise;
-      expect(mockAtlasAiService.optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas).to.have.been
-        .calledOnce;
+      expect(mockAtlasAiService.optIntoGenAIFeatures).to.have.been.calledOnce;
       expect(store.getState().optIn).to.have.nested.property('state', 'error');
     });
   });
@@ -153,7 +147,7 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
 
     it('should cancel opt in if opt in is in progress', async function () {
       const mockAtlasAiService = {
-        optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas: sandbox
+        optIntoGenAIFeatures: sandbox
           .stub()
           .callsFake(({ signal }: { signal: AbortSignal }) => {
             return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
@@ -183,10 +177,10 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
     });
   });
 
-  describe('optIntoAtlasWithModalPrompt', function () {
+  describe('optIntoGenAIWithModalPrompt', function () {
     it('should resolve when user finishes opt in with prompt flow', async function () {
       const mockAtlasAiService = {
-        optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas: sandbox.stub().resolves({ sub: '1234' }),
+        optIntoGenAIFeatures: sandbox.stub().resolves({ sub: '1234' }),
       };
       const store = configureStore({
         atlasAuthService: {} as any,
@@ -203,7 +197,7 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
 
     it('should reject if opt in flow fails', async function () {
       const mockAtlasAiService = {
-        optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas: sandbox.stub().rejects(new Error('Whoops!')),
+        optIntoGenAIFeatures: sandbox.stub().rejects(new Error('Whoops!')),
       };
       const store = configureStore({
         atlasAuthService: {} as any,
@@ -226,7 +220,7 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
 
     it('should reject if user dismissed the modal', async function () {
       const mockAtlasAiService = {
-        optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas: sandbox.stub().resolves({ sub: '1234' }),
+        optIntoGenAIFeatures: sandbox.stub().resolves({ sub: '1234' }),
       };
       const store = configureStore({
         atlasAuthService: {} as any,
@@ -249,7 +243,7 @@ describe('atlasOptInReducer', function () {
 
     it('should reject if provided signal was aborted', async function () {
       const mockAtlasAiService = {
-        optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas: sandbox.stub().resolves({ sub: '1234' }),
+        optIntoGenAIFeatures: sandbox.stub().resolves({ sub: '1234' }),
       };
       const store = configureStore({
         atlasAuthService: {} as any,
diff --git a/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/store/atlas-optin-reducer.ts b/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/store/atlas-optin-reducer.ts
index 1378c26a093..f653f815eb4 100644
--- a/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/store/atlas-optin-reducer.ts
+++ b/packages/compass-generative-ai/src/store/atlas-optin-reducer.ts
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ export const optIntoGenAIWithModalPrompt = ({
     const { state } = getState().optIn;
     if (
       (state === 'optin-success' ||
-        preferences.getPreferences().optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures) &&
+        preferences.getPreferences().optInGenAIFeatures) &&
       preferences.getPreferences().enableGenAIFeaturesAtlasProject
     ) {
       return Promise.resolve();
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ export const optIn = (): GenAIAtlasOptInThunkAction<Promise<void>> => {
 
     try {
       throwIfAborted(signal);
-      await atlasAiService.optIntoGenAIFeaturesAtlas();
+      await atlasAiService.optIntoGenAIFeatures();
       dispatch(atlasAiServiceOptedIn());
       resolve();
     } catch (err) {
diff --git a/packages/compass-preferences-model/src/compass-web-preferences-access.ts b/packages/compass-preferences-model/src/compass-web-preferences-access.ts
index 259390ea180..05b9095a3db 100644
--- a/packages/compass-preferences-model/src/compass-web-preferences-access.ts
+++ b/packages/compass-preferences-model/src/compass-web-preferences-access.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import { getActiveUser } from './utils';
 
 const editablePreferences: (keyof UserPreferences)[] = [
   // Value can change from false to true during allocation / checking
-  'optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures',
+  'optInGenAIFeatures',
   'cloudFeatureRolloutAccess',
   // TODO(COMPASS-9353): Provide a standard for updating Compass preferences in web
   'enableIndexesGuidanceExp',
diff --git a/packages/compass-preferences-model/src/feature-flags.ts b/packages/compass-preferences-model/src/feature-flags.ts
index ca4d0fe0b2d..b45be8e0e61 100644
--- a/packages/compass-preferences-model/src/feature-flags.ts
+++ b/packages/compass-preferences-model/src/feature-flags.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ export type FeatureFlags = {
   showIndexesGuidanceVariant: boolean;
   enableContextMenus: boolean;
   enableSearchActivationProgramP1: boolean;
+  enableUnauthenticatedGenAI: boolean;
 };
 
 export const featureFlags: Required<{
@@ -150,6 +151,13 @@ export const featureFlags: Required<{
     },
   },
 
+  enableUnauthenticatedGenAI: {
+    stage: 'development',
+    description: {
+      short: 'Enable GenAI for unauthenticated users',
+    },
+  },
+
   /**
    * Feature flag for CLOUDP-308952.
    */
diff --git a/packages/compass-preferences-model/src/preferences-schema.tsx b/packages/compass-preferences-model/src/preferences-schema.tsx
index 93b5a6540d0..fdeed50452c 100644
--- a/packages/compass-preferences-model/src/preferences-schema.tsx
+++ b/packages/compass-preferences-model/src/preferences-schema.tsx
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ export type UserConfigurablePreferences = PermanentFeatureFlags &
       | 'web-sandbox-atlas-dev'
       | 'web-sandbox-atlas-qa'
       | 'web-sandbox-atlas';
-    optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures: boolean;
+    optInGenAIFeatures: boolean;
     // Features that are enabled by default in Compass, but are disabled in Data
     // Explorer
     enableExplainPlan: boolean;
@@ -810,17 +810,16 @@ export const storedUserPreferencesProps: Required<{
       .default('atlas'),
     type: 'string',
   },
-  optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures: {
+  optInGenAIFeatures: {
     ui: true,
     cli: false,
     global: false,
     description: {
-      short: 'User Opt-in for Data Explorer Gen AI Features',
+      short: 'User or Client Opt-in for Gen AI Features',
     },
-    validator: z.boolean().default(true),
+    validator: z.boolean().default(false),
     type: 'boolean',
   },
-
   enableAtlasSearchIndexes: {
     ui: true,
     cli: true,
diff --git a/packages/compass-web/sandbox/index.tsx b/packages/compass-web/sandbox/index.tsx
index b5bb034c0f3..17f676edf2b 100644
--- a/packages/compass-web/sandbox/index.tsx
+++ b/packages/compass-web/sandbox/index.tsx
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ const App = () => {
     enableGenAIFeaturesAtlasProject,
     enableGenAISampleDocumentPassingOnAtlasProject,
     enableGenAIFeaturesAtlasOrg,
-    optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures,
+    optInGenAIFeatures,
   } = projectParams ?? {};
 
   const atlasServiceSandboxBackendVariant =
@@ -135,8 +135,7 @@ const App = () => {
                 isAtlas && !!enableGenAISampleDocumentPassingOnAtlasProject,
               enableGenAIFeaturesAtlasOrg:
                 isAtlas && !!enableGenAIFeaturesAtlasOrg,
-              optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures:
-                isAtlas && !!optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures,
+              optInGenAIFeatures: isAtlas && !!optInGenAIFeatures,
               enableDataModeling: true,
             }}
             onTrack={sandboxTelemetry.track}
diff --git a/packages/compass-web/sandbox/sandbox-atlas-sign-in.tsx b/packages/compass-web/sandbox/sandbox-atlas-sign-in.tsx
index fd6c5322273..c1c257881c7 100644
--- a/packages/compass-web/sandbox/sandbox-atlas-sign-in.tsx
+++ b/packages/compass-web/sandbox/sandbox-atlas-sign-in.tsx
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ type ProjectParams = {
   enableGenAIFeaturesAtlasProject: boolean;
   enableGenAISampleDocumentPassingOnAtlasProject: boolean;
   enableGenAIFeaturesAtlasOrg: boolean;
-  optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures: boolean;
+  optInGenAIFeatures: boolean;
 };
 
 type AtlasLoginReturnValue =
@@ -129,8 +129,7 @@ export function useAtlasProxySignIn(): AtlasLoginReturnValue {
             projectId,
             csrfToken,
             csrfTime,
-            optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures:
-              isOptedIntoDataExplorerGenAIFeatures,
+            optInGenAIFeatures: isOptedIntoDataExplorerGenAIFeatures,
             enableGenAIFeaturesAtlasOrg: genAIFeaturesEnabled,
             enableGenAISampleDocumentPassingOnAtlasProject:
               groupEnabledFeatureFlags.includes(
diff --git a/packages/compass-web/src/preferences.tsx b/packages/compass-web/src/preferences.tsx
index 13cdb1060cb..7347cdd53b4 100644
--- a/packages/compass-web/src/preferences.tsx
+++ b/packages/compass-web/src/preferences.tsx
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ export function useCompassWebPreferences(
       enableShell: false,
       enableCreatingNewConnections: false,
       enableGlobalWrites: false,
-      optInDataExplorerGenAIFeatures: false,
+      optInGenAIFeatures: false,
       enableConnectInNewWindow: false,
       ...initialPreferences,
     })