Opera Launches Neon AI Browser to Join Agentic Web Race
Opera today introduced Neon, an AI-powered browser that can run tasks and navigate pages autonomously — aiming to shift web browsing from passive to “agentic.”
Opera has launched Neon, a new artificial intelligence-powered browser designed to go beyond simple page rendering by executing tasks, running code, and acting autonomously on behalf of users. Rather than just delivering search results, Neon aims to become a proactive “agentic” productivity hub.
The release marks Opera’s boldest move yet in the rapidly evolving browser landscape. For decades, browsers have served as static gateways to the internet, displaying information and requiring the user to take every action manually.
Neon flips that model by introducing automation and decision-making directly into the browser, giving users a tool that can fill forms, analyze multiple sources, and even complete multi-step online tasks without constant supervision.
Opera argues that this shift could redefine how people interact with the web – from everyday errands to advanced technical workflows – while keeping privacy and local control at the forefront.
What Is Neon and Why Opera Is Betting Big
Neon can fill out forms, compare data across websites, and even draft or run code within pages, according to the company’s press release. Its standout “Neon Do” feature allows the browser to navigate web pages on the user’s behalf — all locally, without routing data to external cloud services.
Additional features include Tasks, which let Neon create self-contained workspaces for analysing multiple sources, and Cards, which are reusable prompt templates for automating repetitive workflows. Opera emphasises that all actions occur on the device, giving users explicit control over when the AI acts or pauses.
Opera is positioning Neon as a subscription product targeting power users. Early access begins immediately, with broader rollout expected in the coming months. The company claims over 300 million active users globally and highlights its long history in browser development, dating back to 1995.
Privacy is a central pillar of Neon’s pitch: by executing operations on-device and avoiding cloud routing, Opera argues it can better meet regulatory demands and user expectations in sensitive regions such as Europe.
Implications, Challenges, and What Comes Next
Neon intensifies the already heated competition to reimagine the web browser not merely as a display engine but as a smart assistant. Earlier entrants such as Comet by Perplexity AI and Dia by The Browser Company have already pushed that boundary. Meanwhile, OpenAI is expected to release a Chromium-based AI browser integrating its “Operator” agent, further deepening the race.
However, challenges loom. For one, performance and resource use may bottleneck AI operations on local devices. Ensuring responsiveness while maintaining privacy is a delicate engineering tradeoff. Also, convincing users to pay a subscription for a browser – a space historically dominated by free offerings – could be a steep uphill battle.
From a regulatory perspective, Neon’s privacy claim might help Opera gain favour in markets with stringent data protection rules. But if any cloud fallback or data leak arises, the backlash could be severe.
Looking ahead, Opera will need to prove that Neon’s AI capabilities add compelling productivity value for users to switch from incumbents. If successful, Neon could push the browser paradigm toward a future where agents, not just pages, dominate.
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