WebGPU

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WebGPU is a technology that unlocks modern GPU access in web browsers. It's designed to enhance both graphics rendering and machine learning workloads. Let's explore how it can benefit AI applications:

  1. Faster Machine Learning Inference
    1. WebGPU significantly speeds up web applications that include AI features. In fact, the WebGPU-powered version of Chrome performs machine learning inference more than **three times faster** than was possible with WebGL².
    2. By harnessing the capabilities of modern GPUs, WebGPU enables quicker execution of AI models, making real-time predictions and processing large datasets more efficient.
  2. Unlocking New GPU Workloads for Rendering**:
    1. WebGPU introduces features like **compute shaders**, which allow new classes of algorithms to be ported to the GPU. These algorithms can add dynamic details to scenes, simulate physical phenomena, and more.
    2. Workloads that previously could only be done in JavaScript can now be moved to the GPU using WebGPU. For example, the marching cubes algorithm can be used to triangulate the surface of metaballs, as demonstrated in this video¹.
  3. Designed for JavaScript First**:
    1. WebGPU is specifically designed to work seamlessly with JavaScript, bridging the gap between graphics rendering and machine learning tasks.
    2. It better reflects how modern GPU hardware works, laying a foundation for more advanced GPU capabilities in the future.

WebGPU opens the browser for AI applications, offering improved performance and unlocking new possibilities.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/14/2024 

(1) Google builds WebGPU into Chrome to speed up rendering and AI tasks .... https://siliconangle.com/2023/04/07/google-builds-webgpu-chrome-speed-rendering-ai-tasks/.
(2) WebGPU: Unlocking modern GPU access in the browser. https://developer.chrome.com/blog/webgpu-io2023/.
(3) Unlock the Potential of AI and Immersive Web Applications with WebGPU .... https://medium.com/intel-tech/unlock-the-potential-of-ai-and-immersive-web-applications-with-webgpu-4a1cff079178.
(4) Using WebGPU to accelerate ML workloads in the browser. https://blog.logrocket.com/webgpu-accelerate-ml-workloads-browser/.


WebGPU** is a remarkable advancement that unlocks the immense potential of modern GPUs within web browsers. Let's delve into what makes WebGPU so exciting:

  1. Context on WebGPU**:
    1. Back in 2011, **WebGL** made it possible for web applications to harness the power of GPUs, enabling captivating experiences like Google Earth, interactive music videos, and 3D real-estate walkthroughs.
    2. However, WebGL was based on the **OpenGL** family of APIs, which were developed way back in 1992. Since then, GPU hardware has evolved significantly.
    3. To keep pace with this evolution, newer APIs like **Direct3D 12**, **Metal**, and **Vulkan** emerged. These APIs efficiently interact with modern GPU hardware, supporting demanding use cases in machine learning and rendering.
    4. Enter **WebGPU**: the successor to WebGL. Developed collaboratively by companies like Apple, Google, Mozilla, Microsoft, and Intel, WebGPU brings the advancements of modern APIs to the web.
    5. After six years of work, WebGPU is now available in **Chrome 113** on ChromeOS, macOS, and Windows, with other platforms to follow¹.
  2. Unlocking New GPU Workloads**:
    1. WebGPU introduces features like **compute shaders**, enabling novel algorithms to run on the GPU. These algorithms can add dynamic details to scenes, simulate physical phenomena, and more.
    2. Workloads that were previously JavaScript-bound can now be offloaded to the GPU, resulting in significant performance gains.
    3. Check out this video demonstrating the **marching cubes algorithm** used to triangulate the surface of metaballs, all thanks to WebGPU¹.
  3. AI and WebGPU**:
    1. GPUs are potent accelerators for **AI**. WebGPU brings GPU compute capabilities to the web, making it AI-ready.
    2. With WebGPU, high-performance data-parallel computations for AI become feasible, opening up exciting possibilities for immersive web applications².

WebGPU bridges the gap between web technologies and powerful GPU capabilities.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/14/2024 

(1) WebGPU: Unlocking modern GPU access in the browser. https://developer.chrome.com/blog/webgpu-io2023/.
(2) Unlock the Potential of AI and Immersive Web Applications with WebGPU .... https://medium.com/intel-tech/unlock-the-potential-of-ai-and-immersive-web-applications-with-webgpu-4a1cff079178.
(3) WebGPU API - Web APIs | MDN - MDN Web Docs. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/WebGPU_API.
(4) WebGPU: Troubleshooting tips and fixes - Chrome Developers. https://developer.chrome.com/docs/web-platform/webgpu/troubleshooting-tips.

Google

Windows

Apple

The compatibility of WebGPU with Apple Safari

  1. WebGPU in Safari Technology
    1. Starting from **Safari Technology Preview release 91**, beta support is available for the **WebGPU API** and its associated shading language, **Web Shading Language (WSL)**¹.
    2. You can enable the WebGPU beta support by selecting **Experimental Features > WebGPU** in the **Developer menu**.
  2. Current Status**:
    1. WebGPU is **currently being implemented in WebKit**, which powers Safari. Some of the code is already available, but it covers only a fraction of the API surface.
    2. It will take some time before WebGPU can be fully shipped on iOS³.
  3. Testing Compatibility**:
    1. If you're curious about whether WebGPU features work on Safari, you can double-check by testing your website's URL on Safari using tools like **LambdaTest**.
    2. Keep in mind that WebGPU is **not natively supported** on Safari, so it's essential to verify compatibility for your specific use case².

while WebGPU is making strides toward Safari compatibility, it's essential to stay informed about updates and test your applications to ensure a smooth experience across browsers.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/14/2024 

(1) WebGPU and WSL in Safari | WebKit. https://webkit.org/blog/9528/webgpu-and-wsl-in-safari/.
(2) What is the current support status of WebGPU on iOS? It's ... - GitHub. https://github.com/gpuweb/gpuweb/discussions/3245.
(3) WebGPU Browser Compatibility On Safari - LambdaTest. https://www.lambdatest.com/web-technologies/webgpu-safari.
(4) Safari Technology Preview 91 gets beta support for the WebGPU .... https://hub.packtpub.com/safari-technology-preview-91-gets-beta-support-for-the-webgpu-javascript-api-and-wsl/.

Artificial Intelligence

WebGPU accelerates machine learning (ML) workloads within web browsers.

  1. WebGPU is also useful for accelerating **machine learning** tasks. Creative developers have repurposed WebGL's rendering API to perform non-rendering operations, such as ML computations.
  2. By leveraging WebGPU's compute capabilities, ML workloads can run directly in the browser. This opens up exciting possibilities for intelligent web applications that utilize machine learning¹.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/14/2024 

(1) WebGPU: Unlocking modern GPU access in the browser. https://developer.chrome.com/blog/webgpu-io2023/.
(2) Using WebGPU to accelerate ML workloads in the browser. https://blog.logrocket.com/webgpu-accelerate-ml-workloads-browser/.
(3) WebGPU: The Future of Graphics and Compute on the Web. https://blog.devgenius.io/webgpu-the-future-of-graphics-and-compute-on-the-web-19f58ca23a12.

References

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