How will AI affect fiber optic infrastructure?

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, its demand for data transmission is increasing exponentially, which brings unprecedented opportunities and challenges for fiber optic infrastructure. As the core of modern communication networks, the performance and efficiency of optical fiber directly affect the wide application of AI technology and the in-depth promotion of digital transformation. This article will explore the impact of AI on fiber infrastructure and how fiber technology is adapting to the changes of the AI era.
The need for fiber optic infrastructure for AI

High bandwidth requirements

AI applications, especially generative AI (GenAI) and large-scale machine learning models, need to process huge amounts of data, which makes the demand for high bandwidth increase dramatically. For example, the share of traffic within and across data centers has increased significantly, and traditional fiber optic networks need to be upgraded to support higher data transfer rates.

Low latency requirement

AI applications have high real-time requirements, such as automatic driving, smart grid and other scenarios require low-latency network support. Fiber optic technology can meet AI's requirements for low latency by reducing signal transmission time and optimizing network architecture.

High density deployment requirements

AI data centers require high-density fiber deployment in a limited space to support the interconnection of large-scale computing clusters. For example, Corning's EDGE™ solution accommodates large volumes of fiber in a small space for high-density deployments in data centers.

Innovation and breakthrough of optical fiber technology

New optical fiber technology

Multi-core fiber and air-core fiber: In order to cope with the hundredfold growth of future computing power demand, Changfei and other enterprises have laid out multi-core fiber (communication capacity increased by 4-8 times) and air-core fiber (low delay, low nonlinear effect), and these technologies are expected to support 800G, 1.6T or even higher transmission rate AI data center connection needs.

Space division multiplexing technology: Through products such as low-mode fiber and orbital angular momentum fiber, higher density optical connection is achieved, providing technical support for distributed deployment of AI computing power.

Fusion of optical fiber sensing and AI

AI technology has injected "intelligent genes" into optical fiber sensing, and through deep learning algorithms, it can accurately capture the subtle differences in signals to achieve rapid and accurate screening of complex events. For example, in optical cable monitoring, AI can be sensitive to tiny vibration changes in optical fiber and warn of potential faults in advance.

Co-packaged optics (CPO) technology

CPO technology improves network performance by encapsulating the fiber with the chip, reducing signal transmission distance and power consumption. Companies such as Corning are pushing to commercialize CPO technology to meet the high density, low latency needs of AI networks.

Future trends in fiber optic infrastructure

Data Center Interconnection (DCI) upgrades

With the increasing demand for AI computing power, the proportion of traffic within and across data centers has increased significantly. All-optical data center solutions provided by companies such as Changfei support smooth upgrades from 10G to 100G, and improve data interaction efficiency through high-density, low-loss cabling.

Globalization and bridging the digital divide

The global layout of fiber optic infrastructure is accelerating, especially in countries along the Belt and Road. For example, the company has deployed optical cable networks in countries such as the Philippines and Peru to promote local broadband penetration and provide infrastructure support for the popularization of global AI applications.

Industry investment and market opportunities

The construction of AI infrastructure is driving the growth of optical fiber demand. For example, Alibaba announced that it will invest more than 380 billion yuan in AI and cloud computing infrastructure construction in the next three years, which will provide more market opportunities for optical module manufacturers and promote technological innovation and industrial upgrading of the industry.

Deep integration of AI and fiber optic infrastructure

AI empowers fiber network management

AI technology is not only used for optical fiber sensing, but also to optimize the management and operation of optical fiber networks. Through machine learning algorithms, AI is able to monitor the status of fiber optic networks in real time, predict failures and automatically adjust network configurations, improving network reliability and efficiency.

Intelligent upgrade of fiber optic infrastructure

Fiber optic networks are becoming intelligent, and through the integration of AI chips and sensors, fiber optic infrastructure can be self-aware and self-optimized. For example, the i-Fibre series fiber collection launched by Changfei is committed to providing strong infrastructure support for the smart future.

Sustainability and green fiber networks

The energy consumption problem of AI data centers is becoming increasingly prominent, and optical fiber technology can reduce the energy consumption of data centers by reducing signal transmission losses and optimizing network architecture, and promote the development of green optical fiber networks.

Sum up

The development of AI technology has put forward higher requirements for optical fiber infrastructure, and also provides a broad space for the innovation and application of optical fiber technology. As an irreplaceable data transmission medium in the AI era, optical fiber's performance and efficiency directly affect the wide application of AI technology and the in-depth promotion of digital transformation. In the future, optical fiber technology will meet AI's demand for high bandwidth, low latency and high density deployment through new optical fiber research and development, deep integration of optical fiber sensing and AI, and intelligent upgrading. At the same time, the global layout and industry investment will further promote the development of fiber optic infrastructure, providing a solid physical foundation for the popularization of AI technology.

With the deep integration of AI and optical fiber technology, the future optical fiber infrastructure will be more intelligent, efficient and sustainable, providing key support for the healthy development of the AI ecosystem.