Researchers just made "light-speed" computing real with optical tech
Scientists from Aalto University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have figured out how to do complex AI math—called tensor operations—in a single step using light instead of electricity.
Their breakthrough, published in Nature Photonics, could seriously shake up how computers handle big data.
What's actually new here?
Traditional GPUs process these heavy calculations one after another, using lots of energy.
This new optical method lets light itself carry the data and do the work all at once, with much less power needed.
The team even managed to pack more information into different colors (wavelengths) of light, making it perfect for powering next-gen AI models like those behind smart assistants and image recognition.
Why does it matter for you?
This tech could make future AI faster and way more energy-efficient—think less lag in apps or smarter devices that don't drain batteries as quickly.
The researchers hope to get this working on actual chips within five years, opening doors for cooler, greener gadgets powered by light-speed computing.