Most interactions with AI follow a chat-like system. You write or say something, and the AI responds. This may go back and forth, for instance when you have follow-up questions or need corrections.
Opera Software unveiled AI Browser Operator today. The integrated AI agent is more capable than traditional AI, as it is designed to act on your behalf.. You could, for instance, ask the Browser Operator in Opera to find and buy something for you on the Internet.
So, if you forgot to buy your significant other an anniversary gift, you could let the AI do all the heavy lifting. What could possibly go wrong.
While you could argue that other AIs can also point you at products on the Internet, Opera’s implementation is not done at that point. It supports you from start to finish according to Opera Software
Here is how Opera Software describes the functionality:
So how does it work? Browser Operator understands your written instructions in natural language using your browser client’s local resources, and our AI Composer Engine processes this information to complete tasks in the browser. Browser Operator will pause and ask you to take action whenever it needs you to fill in a form, confirm an order, or perform some other sensitive task. In this entire process, you are in control and can take over at any moment from Browser Operator, while you can also review all the steps it took to perform the task you requested.
Opera Software says that Browser Operator has been designed with security and privacy in mind. The AI agent does not use screenshots or video captures of the browsing session, and it is not running in the cloud either according to Opera Software.
Browser Operator “runs natively inside your browser” according to the blog post on Opera’s website. It “uses a textual representation of the webpage” for its activity.
Browser Operator is available as a preview at this stage. I checked several Opera installations, including the latest development builds, and did not find it in the sidebar or when using the command line.
Here is the demo video:
Closing Words
The example that Opera Software provided, the buying of socks, is probably not the best when it comes to the capabilities of AI agents. While some Internet users may appreciate that mundane tasks are taken over by AI agents, human interaction is still required throughout the process.
You need to confirm that you want to buy the product the AI found for you, sign in or create an account, enter payment details, and more.
AI agents may shine when it comes to tasks that do not require user confirmation or input after the task has been given. You can let your imagination run wild at this stage. It is fairly certain that agentic AI will play a large role in the coming months and years.
What is your take on this? Would you use an AI agent in the future for certain tasks? Feel free to leave a comment down below.
I think all this AI stuff is grossly overrated and totally unnecessary. When I bought a new phone last year I deliberately chose one that didn’t include AI in any shape of form (Motorola Moto G82) primarily because I don’t like doing anything on such a small screen.
Smartphones are fine for chat apps and making phone calls, but that’s the limit of my interest in them.
When I travel on the Metro several times a week I’ve observed so many people who are bent over scrolling through apps on their devices and although they might not notice it now, keeping you head in that position all the time is going to lead to consequences for your health in later life. I hope for their sake they discover that before their health deteriorates.
Actually interesting idea. Imagine you want to be off grid or just want to enjoy music, but you’re required to be terminally online for some reason or societal expectations. It’s like having second you do all the stupid stuff while you can enjoy outside life.