An optical chip for AI has been developed by scientists at Université Laval. It transmits data at 1,000 gigabits per second—enough to transfer 100 million books in under seven minutes.
This chip marks a leap in sustainable AI infrastructure. Its energy use is extremely low, requiring only enough power to heat one milliliter of water by a single degree.
AI’s Growing Energy Problem
AI systems currently consume massive amounts of electricity. By late 2025, they may account for nearly half of global data center power usage.
Current architectures rely on hundreds of thousands of processors to handle massive datasets. These processors must constantly communicate—just like neurons in the brain.
But the connections between them are often the biggest bottleneck. Slower data transfer limits the full power of AI systems like ChatGPT.
Laval’s Optical Solution
The optical chip for AI, created by Laval’s Centre for Optics, Photonics and Lasers, removes this bottleneck.
Unlike traditional optical systems that rely only on light intensity, this chip also uses light’s phase. That’s what allows it to achieve such high speeds.
Researchers confirmed it jumps from 56 Gbps to a staggering 1,000 Gbps. The chip is also as thin as a strand of hair.
Real-World Potential
Nature Photonics published the innovation, and study author Alireza Geravand emphasized its impact: entire training datasets can be transferred in minutes.
“It’s fast enough to move over 100 million books in seven minutes,” he explained. “That’s as long as it takes to make coffee.”
Nvidia and other tech leaders have already adopted microring modulators for AI systems. Laval’s chip uses similar technology but significantly expands its capabilities.
Conclusion
The optical chip for AI shows how light-based solutions could reshape the future of artificial intelligence. As energy demand grows, faster and greener data transfer is essential. Laval’s invention could power a new generation of AI infrastructure—smarter, quicker, and far more sustainable.
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