Opera launched its new AI-powered browser Neon on Tuesday, designed to perform tasks and execute code directly within web pages, stepping up the race among tech companies to create smarter, more interactive browsing experiences.
The launch highlights the growing push to turn web browsers into productivity platforms that can act on users’ behalf, rather than simply displaying search results. Earlier this year, Perplexity AI introduced its Comet browser, while The Browser Company rolled out Dia, its own AI-powered alternative to Arc.
Opera said Neon can fill out forms, compare data across websites, and even draft code directly within the browser. Its “Neon Do” feature lets the software navigate pages on a user’s behalf while keeping all information local, without sending data to external cloud services.
The Norwegian firm is positioning Neon as a subscription service for power users. Early access starts Tuesday, with a wider rollout planned over the next few months. Additional features include “Tasks,” which set up isolated workspaces for the AI to process information from multiple sources, and “Cards,” reusable prompt templates that streamline repetitive tasks. Opera emphasized that all operations run locally, allowing users to control when the AI engages or pauses.
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Founded in 1995 and based in Oslo, Opera serves over 300 million active users across its desktop and mobile browsers. The company highlighted Neon’s privacy-focused design, noting that on-device processing may attract European users amid increasing regulatory scrutiny on data.
Meanwhile, OpenAI is preparing to launch a Chromium-based AI browser that could incorporate its “Operator” agent, allowing users to browse and complete transactions without leaving the native chat interface, according to a Reuters report earlier this year.
The web browsing landscape is entering a new era as tech companies race to introduce AI-powered browsers that go beyond traditional search and navigation, offering tools to boost productivity and simplify complex online tasks.
Perplexity AI’s Comet is a Chromium-based browser that brings artificial intelligence directly into the browsing experience, enabling features such as content summarization, task automation, and personalized recommendations. By embedding an AI assistant into the interface, Comet seeks to transform how users interact with information online, making research and workflow management faster and more intuitive.
The Browser Company has developed Dia, an AI-driven browser designed to support a range of activities, from writing and learning to planning and online shopping by seamlessly integrating intelligent tools into everyday browsing. Acquired by Atlassian, Dia emphasizes enhancing user productivity, providing AI-powered assistance that can anticipate needs, automate repetitive tasks, and create a more interactive and personalized web experience.
Together, these developments signal a shift in web browsing from passive information retrieval to active, assistant-driven engagement, powered by artificial intelligence.