The AI boom is running into a physical-world constraint. As more data centres are built globally, the chips, cables and components inside them are struggling to keep up with the volumes of data and the processing speeds required by increasingly capable AI systems.
Photonics is becoming red-hot as a result. More demanding AI workloads require faster and more efficient approaches to computing, putting optical technologies in focus for investors and operators building AI infrastructure.
Sifted has published a list of 15 photonics startups to watch, according to venture capitalists. The selection highlights where VCs see momentum in a sector being positioned as a route to faster, more efficient computing as AI's data and speed requirements grow.
Sources: Sifted.