Opera has begun providing artificial intelligence models that run directly on the user's computer, eliminating dependence on cloud servers. This functionality, named WebAI, is in the testing phase in Opera One and allows websites and extensions to use AI without needing subscriptions to external services.
In addition, the company introduced HTML-in-Canvas technology, which enables the integration of interactive web pages into two-dimensional and three-dimensional environments. While WebAI focuses on local data processing, the second development opens new horizons for digital experiences, especially in gaming.
WebAI provides text generation, content classification, and information relationship detection capabilities directly within the browser. For developers, this means the ability to create AI-based tools without needing to maintain their own infrastructure or pay for every request to external services.
Since the processing occurs on the device, the information processed by the models can remain on the computer. The technology uses open-weight models, which guarantees access to parameters and the possibility of adaptation according to license terms. Opera's implementation is not dependent on a single provider.
Christian Kolondra, Vice President of Browsers and AI at Opera, stated: 'Most of what people want to do with AI does not require a data center. Your laptop is capable of doing it without sending your data anywhere.'
In practice, extensions based on this technology can offer features such as:
The latest capability is already available in a demonstration extension released by the company. The functionality is available as an experimental preview in Opera One and requires user activation. Models are only downloaded after receiving such permission, and special permissions allow users to choose which sites can access the local AI.
The current version is compatible with 64-bit Windows computers running Intel or AMD processors, as well as Macs with Apple Silicon chips. Opera plans to integrate this technology into Opera GX, aimed at gamers, and into Opera Neon, which uses AI agents to perform tasks.
There is an important limitation: the speed depends directly on the hardware, as the models run on the device itself. The company also intends to release new models optimized for different types of computers.
Another novelty allows embedding real pages into two-dimensional and three-dimensional scenarios. Menus, buttons, and forms continue to function and can follow the movement of the environment. To create such experiences, programmers can use HTML and CSS—technologies already known in web development.
Macej Kocemba, Product Director of Opera GX, explained: 'You can take a real page from the internet and place it in a 3D world, and everything will continue to work: buttons, text, menus, everything.'
Opera demonstrated two implementations of this technology. In Webpage Bulldozer, page elements transform into physical objects, and Gamer Room simulates a three-dimensional room displaying interactive pages on screens.
HTML-in-Canvas demonstrations work in Opera browsers without additional setup. WebAI, on the other hand, remains in test mode and requires manual activation.