Optical modules convert electrical signals into light to move data quickly and reliably in AI systems, enabling fast and smooth data processing. Introduction: The Rise of AI Elevates Optical Modules to Strategic Importance With the rapid rise of AI technologies, data has become a new production factor. The high-speed, low-latency, and energy-efficient flow of this data requires a robust communication infrastructure. Yole Group attended OFC 2026 with a dedicated team of analysts on site, actively engaging with major players in the photonics ecosystem throughout the event. As AI workloads expand, GPU/XPU clusters and their bandwidth demands are growing at unprecedented rates. A new report from Bernstein lays out a future where Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) technology will fundamentally shift the value chain, benefiting chip designers like Nvidia and Broadcom at the expense of traditional optical module manufacturers, even as the technology's widespread adoption remains years. The global AI optical module market grew from RMB 600 million (USD 90 million) in 2020 to RMB 6 billion (USD 900 million) in 2024, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 82.
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