The race to build the next generation of AI-powered web browsers is heating up. Opera has announced the launch of its new Neon AI browser, designed to deliver a more seamless, agent-driven browsing experience. The move positions Opera at the forefront of what many in the industry are calling the shift to the agentic web – where AI assistants don’t just fetch answers but proactively help users navigate, transact, and interact online.
Meanwhile, OpenAI is reportedly preparing to roll out its own Chromium-based AI browser, potentially featuring the much-rumored “Operator” agent. Unlike traditional search and navigation, Operator is expected to let users browse, shop, and even complete transactions without leaving the native chat interface.
Opera’s Neon will integrate deeply with its existing Aria AI assistant, offering contextual responses and task automation. OpenAI’s entry could disrupt the market further, combining its conversational AI expertise with the ubiquity of Chromium’s framework.
Industry analysts suggest this competition signals the beginning of a new browser war, one where user experience will be shaped not by speed or extensions, but by the intelligence and autonomy of AI agents.
