A cross-platform API for low-overhead graphics and computing.
Vulkan is a construction plan for a GPU crew. It maps jobs early, so nobody waits holding a shovel.
Games and AI tools use it to schedule GPU work. It gives developers more control, but takes more setup.
GPU
Vulkan lets software send jobs more directly to a GPU.
CUDA
Both Vulkan and CUDA can use a GPU. CUDA mainly serves NVIDIA hardware.
WebGPU
Some browsers use Vulkan underneath WebGPU.