Semiconductors, Data Centers & AI

IDTechEx's latest report, titled "Silicon Photonics and Photonic Integrated Circuits 2026-2036: Technologies, Markets, and Forecasts", offers an in-depth assessment of the latest advancements in PIC technologies. The report comprehensively analyses the key technologies and components including modulators, light sources, waveguides, and material platforms for photonics, as well as assessing the supply chain, market dynamics, and end-use applications.

In this article, IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst Noah El Alami investigates how quantum technologies are driving interest into new material platforms for photonic integrated circuits (PICs).

The emergence of 5G and 6G telecommunications, along with the rise of data center demand and advanced automotive radar systems, is presenting a need for low-loss materials to optimize transmission. This article explores how low-loss materials can prevent transmission losses associated with higher sensitivities and frequencies.

Join IDTechEx Principal Technology Analyst Yu-Han Chang on Thursday 26th March for the expert-led webinar, "AI Chips at the Edge of Success". Choose your preferred time zone - the webinar runs three times in one day.

Short-duration battery technologies such as Li-ion and valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries are typically used in data centers as part of uninterruptible power supply systems (UPS). Data center operators also sign power purchase agreements (PPAs) to secure long-term, stable renewable energy at fixed prices, shielding them from price volatility. However, key shifts in both the energy storage technologies adopted and the long-term methods for power procurement for data centers may evolve over time. This article from IDTechEx covers shifts in the technologies adopted and business strategies data center operators may embrace over the coming years.

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

IDTechEx analyst Dr Yu-Han Chang covers the progress and adoption of optical transceivers in high-end data centers.

Co-packaged optics (CPO) is gaining significant attention as the next architecture for next-generation switching. The shift toward co-packaged optics is also reshaping competitive positioning among semiconductor vendors. This article examines the differing approaches of NVIDIA and Broadcom, with further detail available in IDTechEx's latest report, "Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) 2026-2036: Technologies, Market, and Forecasts".

Batteries are used in data centers as part of uninterruptible power supply systems (UPS) to prevent data loss and to cover critical loads. However, as AI data centers become more prevalent, as does the need to manage the volatility in their power loads. This article from IDTechEx examines emerging battery technology trends for data centers.

Latency, energy, privacy. By shifting AI computation from the cloud to the edge, these issues can be alleviated. 2025 was a breakout year for many AI applications, with consumer electronics leading the way in revenue due to the trend to towards AI smartphones and PCs, and rising costs of chips manufactured on leading process nodes.