Despoina Petousi chairs workshop on light-source technologies for next-gen AI data center networks at ECOC 2026
Industry and research leaders will explore how advances in laser integration can support the performance, efficiency and scalability demands of future AI infrastructure
- Speakers: Despoina Petousi, senior engineer for advanced technology at Adtran; Abdul Rahim, ecosystem manager at PhotonDelta; Wei Shi, Canada research chair in silicon photonics; Wilfried Maineult, advanced technology engineer at Coherent
- Topics: Light sources for next-generation optical communication systems for AI data centers
- When: Sunday, September 20, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. CEST
- Where: ECOC 2026, The Malaga Trade Fair and Conference Center (FYCMA), Málaga, Spain https://ecoc2026.org/ecoc2026
As AI data centers continue to scale, the optical technologies that underpin their connectivity are coming under increasing scrutiny. While photonic integrated circuit (PIC) platforms such as silicon, silicon nitride and thin-film lithium niobate offer a path to greater scalability, integrating high-performance light sources remains a significant challenge. Many of today's most advanced PICs still rely on external lasers, as integrated alternatives have yet to match the performance of discrete devices across all applications.
In this workshop, Despoina Petousi will help moderate a panel of industry and research experts examining how different laser architectures and integration approaches can address the evolving requirements of AI infrastructure. The discussion will explore the trade-offs between external and integrated light sources, the demands being placed on next-generation optical communication systems and the technologies expected to shape future AI data center networks. Attendees will gain insight into the technologies and integration strategies expected to shape future AI data center connectivity.