Interest in AI agents that can act on your behalf online is surging, with OpenAI’s Operator, Browser Use, and Proxy 1.0 recently entering the scene. Now, Opera, a well-known browser provider, is joining the fray by offering a tool designed to actively execute tasks on the web for you. If this trend continues, our approach to the internet could shift dramatically, especially if such tools become deeply integrated into browsers like Opera’s.
The core concept of Opera’s Operator is to go beyond simply answering questions or providing information, as its Aria AI assistant already does. The Operator is built to actively perform actions on the user’s behalf. Users can instruct it to purchase concert tickets, book hotel rooms, search for the best deals on a gadget, or research a specific topic. The Operator will navigate websites, fill out forms, and complete assigned tasks while maintaining those digital errand runner keeps users updated on the progress.
Users will remain in control, but this AI acts as a digital assistant that takes care of the tedious tasks. Here are five ways such tools could revolutionize how we engage with the internet.
Streamlined Online Shopping
Online shopping could become drastically simplified with Opera’s Operator. Instead of browsing multiple tabs filled with product reviews, price comparisons, and shipping information, users could soon simply request the AI agent to “Find me the best-rated wireless earbuds under $150 and order them to my address.”
Rather than spending an hour scrolling through endless product pages, you would receive a curated recommendation, approve it, and complete the purchase in seconds. Imagine bypassing sketchy third-party sellers because the AI assistant has already filtered them out.
Stress-Free Trip Planning
The Operator could transform the often-stressful process of trip planning into something enjoyable. A simple weekend getaway typically involves coordinating flights, hotel rates, rental car bookings, and activity reservations, all while hoping to avoid undesirable layovers or bad accommodations.
With the Browser Operator, users could simply say, “Plan a weekend getaway to Chicago with a hotel near downtown and a rental car.” Then the AI would handle the necessary research, providing a proposed itinerary for approval. No more struggling with which travel site offers the best deals or worrying if a budget hotel has acceptable accommodations. The AI manages the tedious searches, and users decide what seems appealing.
Simplified Subscription Management
Using AI to manage subscriptions and online accounts could eliminate the current complexities. Many digital users spend extensive time trying to remember where subscriptions were started, why they are still being charged for unused services, and how to cancel recurring fees before automatic renewals.
With the Browser Operator, you could ask the AI “Find all my active subscriptions and show me what I should cancel.” The AI could even handle the cancellation process, saving users from annoying prompts. This could turn a bank account from a graveyard of forgotten free trials into a more manageable system.
Automated Bill Payments
Even mundane online tasks could become automated with the help of the Operator. Paying bills, managing subscriptions, and downloading bank statements are all minor, repetitive tasks. Having to remember when to log in, navigate a website, and recall passwords is an irritating part of modern life.
It’s possible to configure the Browser Operator to handle routine tasks automatically. With the Operator, you could just get a notification about a bill being paid instead of needing to pay it yourself. This can make tasks easier, and may free up mental space for other things.
Enhanced Information Filtering
The AI Operator may help users manage the relentless flow of information on the internet. Staying informed today often requires subscribing to countless newsletters, blogs, and hoping that algorithms serve relevant content. The Browser Operator could serve as a personalized news curator.
By telling the AI to “Keep me updated on the latest breakthroughs in space exploration,” the tool could regularly gather and summarize the most recent, relevant articles. This saves users from wading through an endless news feed by delivering only specific information, thereby helping them stay informed without feeling overwhelmed by the internet’s constant scroll.
The Future of Browsing?
The internet has historically required users to be the operators: clicking, searching, navigating, and managing. However, with AI tools like Opera’s, this dynamic may shift. Opera’s Browser Operator represents a significant step toward making the browser an active participant in the internet experience, rather than a passive tool.
While this could significantly improve efficiency, it also raises intriguing questions about the future. If AI can browse the internet for us, what will our engagement with the internet look like in the future? Will we retain the ability to conduct manual searches or will such tasks become as obsolete as using a rotary phone? Only time will tell.
For now, the innovation prompts excitement. As AI assumes the more tedious tasks, the real question is: Will this free us to enjoy the internet more, or will we just find new, more efficient ways to doom-scroll? The future of browsing is certainly becoming more interesting.
