RELEASE · COMPANIES · #2653
Opera launches WebAI standard to run local AI models in Opera One preview
Opera introduced WebAI, a new web standard that lets users run AI models locally in the browser and is available as an early preview in Opera One; Opera says it supports a variety of open‑weight models (it name‑checks Google’s Gemma and Apple’s on‑device foundation model on Mac) and will roll the feature out to Opera GX and Opera Neon later. The company frames the feature as a privacy- and cost-conscious way for developers and users to access AI without cloud requests, while noting performance depends on device hardware and users must opt in.
KEY POINTS
- Opera introduced WebAI, a new web standard that lets users run AI models locally in the browser and is available as an early preview in Opera One; Opera says it supports a variety of open‑weight models (it name‑checks Google’s Gemma and Apple’s on‑device foundation model on Mac) and will roll the feature out to Opera GX and Opera Neon later.
- The company frames the feature as a privacy- and cost-conscious way for developers and users to access AI without cloud requests, while noting performance depends on device hardware and users must opt in.
- Enables local, privacy‑preserving browser AI and a developer path without cloud infrastructure, which could shift how web apps integrate models and handle data.
WHY IT MATTERS
Enables local, privacy‑preserving browser AI and a developer path without cloud infrastructure, which could shift how web apps integrate models and handle data.