Semiconductors, Computing & AI

As optical transceivers continue to advance in bandwidth, power efficiency, and integration level, their influence is extending beyond the data-centre network and into the way AI systems themselves are architected. Increasingly, the transition toward optical interconnects is not driven by raw bandwidth demand alone, but by the growing tension between electrical SerDes scaling, system power budgets, and physical architecture constraints. To understand how this shift is unfolding, it is useful to first distinguish between scale-up fabrics, connectivity in AI systems.

In this article, IDTechEx Technology Analyst Noah El Alami explores the material and fabrication challenges in scaling up quantum computers and sensors based on superconducting chips.

A complimentary collection of insights written by IDTechEx industry experts, covering key technology innovation trends shaping the next decade.

Join IDTechEx Principal Technology Analyst Dr Yu-Han Chang on Thursday 15th January for the expert-led webinar "CPO (Co-Packaged Optics) Technologies and Market Outlook for Next-Gen AI Systems", offering independent, research-backed insights.

The service robotics industry has grown quickly in recent years, spurred on by advances in robotics technology and artificial intelligence (AI), and is set to alleviate labor shortage issues across multiple industries. This IDTechEx article examines the winners in the short and long term in the service robots market.

Global battery energy storage system (BESS) deployments continue to be deployed at a rapid pace, with surging deployments seen especially in grid-scale markets. Giant Li-ion BESS players dominate this market leaving untapped opportunities for smaller players to exploit in commercial and industrial (C&I) sectors, behind-the-meter (BTM). However, operating in this underappreciated market can be complex, given the vast end-use applications and changing regional drivers. This article highlights the emerging demand for C&I BESS technologies.

As AI workloads continue to scale, thermal management has become one of the most critical and costly elements of data center infrastructure. The cost analysis of server cooling components highlights an important reality: while cold plates often receive the most attention, they represent only a fraction of the total thermal system cost. The true economic picture emerges when server-level cooling is aggregated to the rack and facility level.

Join IDTechEx Principal Technology Analyst Dr Tess Skyrme on Thursday 8th January for this 30-minute webinar, where she will overview three exciting sensor technology innovations: AI, Quantum, and Nanocarbons.

The telecommunications industry is contemplating a problem it hasn't faced before, a lack of growth. As reported by IDTechEx "6G Market 2026-2036: Technology, Trends, Forecasts, Players", YoY growth rates in global wireless traffic have been on a downward trend since 2020 (albeit still exhibiting growth). As the industry continues to lay the groundwork for the CAPEX-intensive shift to 6G, could various manifestations of AI offer a pathway to renewed growth?

Thermal management has an imperative role to play in the landscape of advancing modern technologies. This article explores applications from high-performance computing and data centers to advanced batteries in electric vehicles.