Opera is taking a significant leap forward in AI integration by introducing agentic AI—technology that performs tasks rather than merely generating content based on prompts. The Norwegian company has unveiled Browser Operator, an AI-powered agent designed to automate web-based tasks within the Opera browser.

AI That Works for You

Jan Standal, Opera’s Senior Vice President, emphasized the advantage of having an AI agent embedded in the browser, allowing users to delegate repetitive tasks while focusing on more important activities.

According to Opera’s blog post, Browser Operator understands natural language commands, leveraging the browser’s local resources for processing. This AI-powered feature, supported by Opera’s AI Composer Engine, executes web tasks efficiently while ensuring users remain in control. Whenever a sensitive action—such as filling out a form or confirming a purchase—is required, Browser Operator pauses for user approval. Additionally, users can review each step the AI takes.

Automation for Productivity

Many online tasks, such as price comparison shopping or monitoring social media feeds, are tedious and time-consuming. AI automation could alleviate this burden, explains Max Vermier, Senior Director of AI Strategy at Abbyy. He describes AI agents as digital productivity assistants, capable of gathering information autonomously and presenting results within seconds.

Ambuj Kumar, founder of Simbian, likens the AI’s role to that of a personal assistant, handling online tasks such as vacation planning and deadline tracking. He believes this type of AI has immense potential and is already feasible today.

A Unique Approach to AI in Browsers

While several browsers have incorporated AI features, Opera is the first to natively integrate an AI agent within the browser itself. Unlike other AI implementations that rely on cloud-based processing, Browser Operator directly interacts with web pages using Document Object Model (DOM) technology.

IBM and Neudesic’s applied AI researcher, Sandi Besen, notes that most companies rely on screenshots or screen recordings sent to cloud-based AI models to process user actions. In contrast, Browser Operator accesses web page elements directly through the DOM, creating a seamless user experience while reducing latency.

This local approach also enhances privacy. Since all data processing occurs on the user’s device, information such as login credentials remains secure, rather than being transmitted to external servers. Komninos Chatzipapas, founder of HeraHaven AI, highlights another advantage: users remain logged into their accounts, avoiding frequent CAPTCHA verifications often encountered with cloud-based AI tools.

Can Opera Gain Market Share?

Opera’s innovative AI integration could strengthen its position in the browser market, where it has traditionally held a niche role. According to Rob Enderle, President of the Enderle Group, most companies view browsers as cost centers and invest little in their development. By focusing on AI advancements, Opera could attract users seeking automation features.

However, the extent of Opera’s success depends on user adoption and market competition. Mark N. Vena, President of SmartTech Research, suggests that while AI-driven automation may appeal to tech-savvy users, Opera will need to compete with AI-enhanced browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome (with Gemini AI), and Copilot.

Ross Rubin, Principal Analyst at Reticle Research, remains skeptical about whether AI innovation can significantly shift market dynamics. He points to Microsoft’s introduction of AI-powered Bing, which garnered attention but failed to substantially impact Google’s dominance. Given that switching browsers requires more effort than changing search engines, Browser Operator may not drastically alter Opera’s market position.

AI Agents: The Future of Browsing

Despite potential market challenges, AI-powered browsing assistants are expected to become standard across all major browsers. David Johnston, a contributor to the open-source platform Morpheus, predicts a widespread adoption of AI agents due to their productivity benefits. With Opera taking the lead, the integration of AI-driven automation into web browsing is set to reshape how users interact with the internet.

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