AI features

Opera's AI integration is a smart, low-friction way to bring generative AI into daily browsing. The AI Prompts feature—triggered by highlighting text or from the address bar—is genuinely useful for quick tasks like summarizing articles, explaining jargon, or drafting social posts. Having ChatGPT and ChatSonic in the sidebar means you can stay on the page while asking questions or generating content. It's all free, just requiring the latest Opera or Opera GX browser and a toggle in settings. We'd reach for this when you want AI assistance without leaving your browsing flow. Students can summarize research papers, professionals can draft emails on the fly, and content creators can brainstorm ideas without opening another tab. The downside is reliance on third-party accounts: you need ChatGPT or ChatSonic accounts for the sidebar chatbots, and free-tier limits apply. Also, AI Prompts currently only works on desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux), not mobile. Compared to browser extensions like Monica or Merlin, Opera's integration feels more native—no install needed, no extra buttons cluttering the UI. But those extensions often support multiple models and have more customization. Opera's approach is simpler, but also more limited; you can't, for example, change the underlying AI model for Prompts. Where it bites: if you need offline AI, enterprise-grade data privacy, or developer APIs, look elsewhere. Opera's AI tools are designed for casual, everyday use, not heavy lifting. The company is working on its own GPT-based engine, which could reduce third-party dependency, but that's not here yet. In practice, this is a solid choice for anyone who wants a taste of AI without commitment. It's free, built-in, and easy to toggle off. Just don't expect it to replace dedicated tools