Opera is adding a new web browser to its lineup, named Opera Neon, which integrates AI agents designed to assist users by performing online tasks independently. The Norwegian company characterizes Neon as an “agentic browser” equipped with contextual awareness capable of researching, creating, and designing according to user needs.
Interestingly, this is not Opera’s first attempt at a Neon browser; a previous version was introduced in 2017 but did not gain traction. It remains to be seen if this new iteration will fare better.
Henrik Lexow, Opera’s senior AI product director, stated in a recent press release, “At this stage, AI can transform how we interact with the internet and execute various tasks within the browser. Opera Neon brings this capability directly to our users.”
One of the standout features of Opera Neon is its AI engine, which reportedly “understands and interprets” user requests, utilizing cloud-based AI agents to fulfill them. According to the company, users will be able to create games, reports, code snippets, and websites via Neon, with the ability to manage multiple tasks even while offline.
Opera has yet to disclose a release date or pricing for Neon, aside from indicating that it will be a “premium subscription product.” This leaves many questions regarding the browser’s functionality unanswered.
Neon appears to offer AI capabilities akin to those found in Microsoft’s Copilot or OpenAI’s Operator. The browser will reportedly feature a chatbot interface that enables users to search the web, respond to inquiries, and gain “contextual information” based on their current webpage. Additionally, Opera Neon includes an AI Agent, previously referred to as “Browser Operator,” enabling users to automate mundane online tasks such as shopping, completing forms, and booking services. This tool interacts with content on webpages locally, enhancing privacy and security.
Information regarding Opera Neon remains limited, marking it as the fifth browser in the company’s range, following the recent launch of its mindfulness-oriented Air browser in February. Users will have to wait for the beta rollout for more insights into Neon’s true capabilities, although the timeline for this is still unclear. Interested users can join the waitlist here.
