Opera launches AI browser that can do tasks for user

Opera has introduced a new AI-powered browser called Neon, designed to perform tasks directly within web pages rather than simply displaying information. The browser can fill out forms, compare data across websites, and even draft code on a user's behalf.

The launch comes amid growing competition to develop more interactive, "agentic" browsers. Other companies, including Perplexity AI and The Browser Company, have released similar products, while OpenAI is also reportedly developing an AI-powered browser, according to a recent report by Reuters.

Opera is positioning Neon as a subscription service for power users, with early access beginning this week. The company emphasised that all AI operations happen locally on the user's device, which it says enhances privacy by avoiding data transfers to cloud servers.

Founded in 1995, Opera currently has over 300 million users across its browser products, states the Reuters report, adding that the company's US-listed shares have performed strongly in recent years amid investor interest in its AI development efforts.