'Silicon photonics is central to next-generation AI infrastructure': How light-based chips could solve AI’s growing bottlenecks
Our exclusive interview with Professor Graham Reed, Director, CORNERSTONE
by https://www.techradar.com/uk/author/desire-athow · TechRadarFeatures By Desire Athow Contributions from Wayne Williams published 6 April 2026
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Silicon photonics is one of the technologies expected to shape the future of artificial intelligence, communications, and data infrastructure.
By replacing electrical signals with light inside chips, the technology promises faster data movement and lower energy use, two factors that are becoming critical as AI workloads expand and data centers consume increasing amounts of power.
At the center of much of the UK’s work in this area is CORNERSTONE, a silicon photonics innovation center led by the University of Southampton. Founded in 2014, the center operates as an open-source, license-free photonics prototyping foundry, providing researchers, startups, and industry with access to the tools needed to design and test photonic integrated circuits.
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The goal is to lower the barriers that have traditionally slowed development in advanced chip technologies, particularly where access to specialist manufacturing facilities is limited.
Reducing the growing energy demands of AI systems
CORNERSTONE is hosted by the University of Southampton in partnership with the University of Glasgow and the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council. Its approach combines academic research expertise with practical engineering support, allowing users to move from early concepts to working prototypes without navigating restrictive licensing agreements or long manufacturing lead times.
The center was founded by Professor Graham Reed, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of silicon photonics and author of the first textbook on the subject.
His work has helped establish silicon photonics as a practical technology, particularly in areas such as optical modulators and high-speed data transmission devices now widely used in modern communications systems.
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