Google Chrome 113 update brings AI processing to the browser thanks to WebGPU support

Google is set to showcase the power of its latest update to the Google Chrome browser, Chrome 113, at its annual Google I/O conference. The update includes support for WebGPU, which enables high-performance 3D graphics to be displayed effortlessly in the browser. Google is hoping to leverage this technology to bring AI processing to the browser, taking some of the pressure off data centers.

According to CNET, Google plans to demonstrate Stability AI's Stable Diffusion software at the conference. The software can turn a text prompt into an image, and it will use WebGPU to do the processing. “WebGPU makes the web AI-ready,” said Matt Waddell, who leads Chrome's developer and consumer-focused work, in an exclusive interview ahead of the conference.

This move reflects the growing pervasiveness of AI technology, which has been used behind the scenes for years but has become much more prominent with new generative AI tools like OpenAI ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, Google Gemini, and Adobe Firefly.

Waddell pointed out that although phone and laptop hardware is much less powerful than data center server hardware, being able to run AI locally on a device sidesteps network problems and can help businesses control their data. This could be useful for businesses with sensitive data or health apps whose results they want to keep private.

Google's move to bring AI processing to the browser is another step towards making AI more accessible to everyone. With the power of the browser and the ability to run AI locally, businesses can now leverage the power of AI without the need for expensive hardware or a dedicated data center.