An introduction to WebGPT

Web development is undergoing a significant transformation with the introduction of WebGPU, a new API enabling web applications to access a device’s Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) for complex computations, exemplified by the WebGPT project. WebGPT, a simple application written in JavaScript and HTML, utilizes transformer models to process data efficiently in the browser by leveraging WebGPU, enhancing real-time data processing, privacy, and cost efficiency. Although WebGPU is still a relatively new and complex technology with limited browser support and potential performance issues on older hardware, it holds promise for advancing web applications by enabling in-browser execution of machine learning models typically run on servers. WebGPT exemplifies this potential, demonstrating that transformer models like GPT can perform efficiently in-browser, which could transform user experiences across a range of applications and make advanced AI features more accessible. As the technology matures, it may lead to more sophisticated web applications and encourage experimentation and development of larger models, fostering innovation in AI and machine learning.