Could China’s photonic chips help it leapfrog US on AI?

AI Summary

China launched a top-level optical computing laboratory in Shanghai in June, showcasing breakthroughs in photonic chips which may help circumvent US restrictions on AI development. The advancement represents significant progress in China's national priorities on next-generation photonics and optical computing.

China opened a top-level optical computing laboratory in Shanghai in June after a string of breakthroughs in the field that could help get around US curbs on its development of artificial intelligence (AI). A decade after optical computing and next-generation photonics were made national priorities, China last year began limited production of locally designed photonic chips. These transmit and process data using photons – particles of light generated by lasers – whereas silicon chips such as the...