Photons Could Speed AI Data Moves as Nvidia Bets Big

AI workloads are limited by how quickly data moves between chips and servers; photonics—using light rather than copper wires—could dramatically speed interconnects and reduce energy use, a technology Nvidia is betting on with billions in investments (Lumentum, Coherent, Marvell, Corning, Ayar Labs) to scale silicon photonics and GPU-to-GPU links, though mass deployment faces manufacturing ramp and redesign challenges to replace copper in existing product roadmaps.