Enjoy a Full Day of Optical Talks April 30th at OCP EMEA Summit
Morning: IPEC-OCP Collocated Workshop on Optical Interconnects for AI Clusters & Data Centers
Afternoon: Optical Networks for Scalable AI Clusters
The increasing complexity and demand of high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) applications, has created a critical need for transformative innovations to allow for responsibly deploying AI/HPC from Cloud to edge. We are at an inflection point in the data center industry driven by a large investment in high-density computational infrastructure for AI training and then deploying smaller-scale computing at the edge for inference.
From a technology perspective, we see the need to rethink data center IT equipment, facilities and silicon supply chains. Previous inflection points moving from closed proprietary stacks to open ecosystems that drove the cloud era are still an important force and will play an important role in shaping the next wave of data center development. One of the top technology advancements needed for scaling AI clusters, inside the data center and between data centers, is high-speed low-latency optical communication networks to interconnect everything together.
Details Morning Session:
Theme: Large AI Clusters - Network Architectures and Optics
The International Photonics & Electronics Committee (IPEC) develops open optoelectronic standards and strategic roadmaps, while the Open Compute Project (OCP) drives open hardware innovations for scalable data center infrastructure. Together, they are hosting this workshop to explore the evolving requirements of optical interconnects in AI clusters and data centers. Key topics include scale-out and scale-up networks, emerging form factors (CPO, NPO, LPO), cost reduction strategies, transition points from electrical to optical interconnects, high-speed solutions like 400G/L, and other innovations. The session will also highlight IPEC’s latest AI-focused initiatives, including the 400G SR8+ Module Project and the Interoperable 1.6Tb/s Project, addressing technical requirements and interoperability challenges in next-generation AI infrastructures.
Details Afternoon Session:
Theme: Optical Networks for Scalable AI Clusters
Energy efficiency, low latency and high bandwidth will be critical factors in achieving the level of AI buildout for emerging generations of hyperscale data centres. Optical interconnect will now be deployed for shorter reach links, such as intra-rack and even intra-enclosure connectivity, while new networking paradigms will reduce power across the new AI clusters. Photonics integration will be an important part of this technology ecosystem as linear drive optical transceivers and co-packaged optics are developed to minimise power consumption. This breakout session will focus on the advances in optical networking we can expect in the next generation of products that will be deployed to meet the AI Cluster challenge.
You can engage in the latest developments at the upcoming 2025 OCP EMEA Summit, taking place April 29th and 30th in Dublin Ireland. There are two relevant tracks dealing with Optics:
- The IPEC-OCP Collocated Workshop on Optical Interconnects for AI Clusters & Data Centers takes place starting at 8:30 am for the morning of Wednesday April 30th in The Liffey A Room.
- The OCP EMEA Summit Special Focus Breakout Session on Optical Networks for Scalable AI Clusters takes place starting at 1:00 PM for the afternoon of Wednesday April 30th in The Liffey A Room.
See the full schedule and register for the 2025 OCP EMEA Summit Today!