Opera Integrates Local AI Into Browser
Opera's new feature allows AI to run locally in the browser, keeping user data private. This move may boost innovation for the Opera browser.
Original reporting · zdnet.com
Original: “Opera will run AI locally in your browser now – why that’s a gamechanger and how to try it”
Read “Opera will run AI locally in your browser now – why that’s a gamechanger and how to try it” at ZDNET AI →
How this was written. Content Delta wrote this article with a language model from ZDNET AI’s reporting (model: @cf/meta/llama-3.3-70b-instruct-fp8-fast); it describes that reporting rather than adding to it. The original, linked above, is the full story.
Key points from ZDNET AI’s report
- Opera is integrating local AI into its browser to keep user data private
- The company's AI will utilize open-weight models that can be built upon by developers
- Opera plans to expand its local AI capabilities, including the introduction of more models and tools
Opera has made a significant decision to integrate local AI into its browser, according to ZDNET AI. This means that user queries and data will remain on their machine, rather than being sent to the cloud. The company's AI will utilize open-weight models, which can be built upon by developers without requiring expensive infrastructure.
Most browsers rely on cloud-based AI, which can compromise user data. In contrast, Opera's local AI approach ensures that user information stays private. This is particularly important, as third-party organizations may use user data to train large language models or create profiles.
The use of local AI is made possible by advancements in hardware and the development of smaller, more capable models. Opera's EVP Browsers and AI, Krystian Kolondra, notes that many AI tasks do not require a data center and can be performed on a laptop without sending data elsewhere.
Opera plans to expand its local AI capabilities, including the introduction of more models and tools. The company will also provide users with control over what runs on their machine. Additionally, Opera will offer models optimized for specific devices, making it easier for developers to create browser experiences.
The WebAI standard, backed by companies like Google and Microsoft, enables websites and extensions to use browser-hosted AI. Opera's implementation of WebAI is designed to be model-agnostic, allowing users to select models from various providers. The standard is also opt-in, meaning that nothing is downloaded until the user chooses to do so.
To try out Opera's local AI feature, users can download or update Opera One, enable the Web AI API, and install an extension. According to Opera, the feature is currently available on Windows PC and Macs with Apple silicon, but not on Intel-based Macs, Linux, or Windows on Arm.
Questions and answers
What is WebAI?
WebAI is a proposed web standard that allows websites and extensions to use browser-hosted AI.
How do I try out Opera's local AI feature?
To try out the feature, users can download or update Opera One, enable the Web AI API, and install an extension.
What devices is Opera's local AI feature available on?
The feature is currently available on Windows PC and Macs with Apple silicon, but not on Intel-based Macs, Linux, or Windows on Arm.
