Opera launches Neon, an AI browser that can code write reports, and more

Opera Neon

Opera is taking a bold step into the future of web browsing with the debut of Opera Neon, a standalone browser built around AI agents designed to do more than just help you navigate the internet — they aim to act on your behalf.

Unveiled this week as the next phase of the company’s earlier “AI Browser Operator” vision, Neon is built from the ground up for what Opera calls “agentic browsing.” The idea is that AI won’t just assist, but handle tasks like research, coding, report writing, and even game or website development.

This is made possible through cloud-based AI agents that can continue processing tasks even when your device goes offline. Meanwhile, the Browser Operator — a chat-style assistant baked into Neon — will offer contextual support, automate common actions like filling forms or booking hotels, and let users interact directly with webpage content.

Henrik Lexow, Opera’s Senior AI Product Director, called it a “collaborative platform” that could redefine how we engage with the web. Though his pitch leaned heavily on AI-era buzzwords, the ambition is clear: Neon isn’t just a browser — it’s meant to be a web co-pilot.

Opera now joins an increasingly crowded race. Microsoft Edge has Copilot. Google Chrome is integrating Gemini. Startups like Perplexity AI have launched Comet. Brave has Leo. Even Apple is quietly adding AI features to Safari. The browser wars are back — and they’re smarter this time.

Still, much about Neon remains unclear. Pricing, full availability, and real-world performance are question marks for now. A waitlist is open, but no launch date has been confirmed.