Optica’s Industry Summit on Photonic-enabled Cloud Computing has just concluded. It was a blast. With global input from top-level delegates from around the world, this historic gathering was held in the heart of Silicon Valley at Juniper Networks’ Aspiration Dome. We welcomed more than 200 executives and leaders. Thanks to Melissa Kallos, from the Advanced Photonics Coalition for their support in making this a truly memorable gathering. Here are my personal take-aways:

1. With the widespread adoption of generative #AI, modern data centers are becoming decentralised computers and the networks define their #AI_Fabric.

2. This #AI_Fabric needs high-density optical I/O (>1Tbps/mm), high data-rates reaching 3.2Tbps, <5pJ/bit power consumption, all to drive down $/bit for data transfer and delivery.

3. Reliability and Time-to-Market will define the winner in the horse race between Linear Pluggable Optics #LPO vs Co-packaged Optics #CPO solutions.

4. Optical engines, in all sorts of flavors and designs, are competing in a world changing so fast that existing standards in network requirements and criteria can not keep up.

5. Foundries, components and material manufacturers all have novel and cutting-edge technologies ready for deployment. However, a much deeper spirit of collaboration across the supply chain will be essential to fully develop the eco-system for Photonic-enabled Cloud Computing.

So, there is plenty to discuss next year at PECC 2024 at Synopsys Inc’s HQ. This meeting was not recorded to encourage frank and open discussion. But Optica Corporate members CAN access the presentation slides from the PECC Summit 2023. If you’re not yet a part of the fastest-growing global photonics association, then drop me or Jose Pozo a personal message here on Linkedin for membership details.