Opera is expanding its Google partnership to bring Gemini-powered AI to its mainstream browsers. The AI sidebar, previously exclusive to the experimental Opera Neon browser, now ships free in Opera One and the gaming-centric Opera GX.
The integration gives the AI assistant direct access to browsing context. Users can ask questions about active web pages, compare content across tab groups, and get video summaries without leaving the browser. The system processes text, voice commands, images, and uploaded files, making it fully multimodal.
Under the hood, Opera rebuilt the AI engine using an agentic architecture first tested in Neon. The result: 20% faster responses compared to previous implementations. Users retain full control over what data the AI can access through built-in privacy settings.
"AI is reshaping how people interact with the web, and the browser is the natural entry point for those experiences," said Per Wetterdal, Opera's EVP Commercial. Power users on Opera Neon get early access to Gemini 3 Pro.
The Bottom Line: Opera is betting that browser-native AI beats standalone chatbots by leveraging real-time browsing context, and it's giving 80 million users free access to test that theory.
QUICK FACTS
- Users reached: 80+ million across Opera One, GX, and Neon
- Speed boost: 20% faster AI responses with new agentic architecture
- Release date: December 1, 2025
- Price: Free for all Opera browser users
- Top-tier access: Opera Neon users get Gemini 3 Pro
