The evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) has presented both opportunities and challenges for businesses globally. As organisations strive to harness the potential of this transformative technology, current infrastructure is facing significant strains, particularly in the areas of power consumption and data processing capabilities. Notably, recent discussions led by John Gallant, the Enterprise Consulting Director at CIO.com, and Vito Mabrucco, Chief Marketing Officer at NTT Corp., suggest that a restructuring of technology frameworks is essential for realising the benefits of AI.
In conversations published by CIO, Mabrucco underscored the substantial increase in the demand for processing power attributed to AI innovations. He said, “We know the current infrastructure that we have can’t possibly support all of the new innovations that are going to result from the very wide and broad and deep implementation of AI.” This recognition of infrastructural limitations highlights the pressing need for a shift from traditional electronics-based computing systems to photonics-enabled systems.
Photonics technology presents a solution that could alleviate some of the electricity demands essential to powering AI operations. Unlike electronics, which consume more energy, photonics requires less power to perform equivalent tasks. This attribute is crucial given the rising concerns about the ability of existing power grids to cater to the surging requirements of AI technologies. Furthermore, photonics is positioned to deliver remarkable improvements in bandwidth speeds and reduced latency, which are essential for various applications across sectors such as finance, autonomous vehicles, and robotics. Mabrucco elaborated on the potential applications, noting that photonics can facilitate near real-time disaster recovery in banking and finance, enable vehicle-to-vehicle communication crucial for autonomous driving, and establish rapid connections between edge computing sites and data centres vital for industrial operations.
The technology relies on the miniaturisation of fibre-optic systems, which have been historically utilised for long-distance data transmission including undersea cables. NTT's ambition includes scaling down these technological frameworks for use within computing hardware, right down to the chip level. This initiative is part of a more extensive vision for creating versatile and efficient processing units designed for specific functionalities, such as handling complex language models and optimising data storage.
Amid these advancements, NTT has taken a proactive leadership stance by launching the IOWN Global Forum alongside industry giants like Sony and Intel. The forum aims to facilitate early adoption and scaling of photonics technology across a wide array of businesses. Over 150 leading organisations are engaged in the forum, collaborating to explore actionable use cases that can drive innovation and operational efficiency.
Mabrucco also outlined NTT's principles guiding their AI approach, which emphasises the importance of human rights, bias-free operation, data protection, and transparency. This framework aims not just to foster new business opportunities but also to promote a beneficial outcome for society and the environment. He stated, “It’s clear that the technology firms must understand how this technology will impact if it is to deliver on the promise of a secure and trustworthy AI.”
The ongoing dialogue surrounding AI, photonics, and their intersection signals a significant frontier for businesses, propelling discussions about responsible AI governance and the ethical frameworks necessary for leveraging these rapidly evolving technologies within organisational practices.
Source: Noah Wire Services