ICE seminar: Breaking the bottleneck: the future of AI computing with optical interconnects

Abstract

AI models have exploded in size, growing 100× in just five years and pushing traditional computing architectures to their limits. The only way to sustain this exponential growth is parallelization, where multiple chips work together, sharing data at incredible speeds. But today’s standard interconnects, based on copper, are becoming a bottleneck: the industry urgently needs to maximize performance/$ through ultra-fast and energy-efficient data exchange, to keep GPUs busy and avoid infinite idle times.

At NcodiN, we are redefining how chips communicate. We are unlocking a new era of ultra-fast, energy-efficient optical interconnects, powered by a breakthrough technology: the world’s smallest laser integrated on silicon, 500× smaller than standard lasers adopted in the industry. This means AI hardware that is smaller, faster and dramatically more efficient, enabling limitless scalability while consuming less power.

Today’s computing highways are clogged with copper, slowing AI down like a dirt road in a world that demands speed. Optical interconnects are the express lanes of the future, built for AI’s full potential. The shift is inevitable, and at NcodiN we are making it happen.

Bio

Francesco is a scientist, entrepreneur and innovator in the field of nanophotonics. With a PhD in optoelectronic nanodevices and over eight years of experience in cutting-edge photonics research, he has worked at the forefront of silicon photonics, optical memories, light amplification and photonic crystal nanostructures. His journey has taken him through prestigious institutions such as CNRS, IBM, and C2N (Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies), where he contributed to groundbreaking advancements in the field.

Originally trained as an electrical engineer, Francesco combined his technical expertise with a visionary approach to innovation. He is the founder and CEO of NcodiN, a company pioneering next-generation optical interconnects to power the future of AI computing. As the co-inventor of the patent at the core of NcodiN’s technology, he has played a key role in developing ultra-small, high-efficiency lasers that are set to transform data processing and communication.

Passionate about pushing the limits of technology, Francesco is dedicated to solving some of the most pressing challenges in AI hardware and high-performance computing, enabling systems that are faster, more efficient, and infinitely scalable.