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Glass is everywhere, shaping our lives in ways we often overlook. From drinking glasses and light bulbs to your car windshield and your smartphone screen, glass is an important part of daily life.
But did you know that glass also plays a vital role in powering some of the world’s most advanced technologies? Artificial intelligence (AI) – the powerhouse behind tools like ChatGPT, autonomous vehicles, fraud detection systems and virtual assistants – wouldn’t be possible without Glass. The truth is that AI’s existence depends on revolutionary Glass technology.
The backbone of AI: fiber in data centers
Every AI application begins its journey in a data center – the birthplace of AI. Essentially, a data center is a facility that houses rows of powerful computers designed to store, process, and manage large amounts of information. These centers may operate two main networks: a front-end network that supports the processing of user/client applications, such as files in your phone or laptop; And another backend network that powers advanced AI algorithms.
The backend network is filled with server racks filled with powerful chips called graphics processing units (GPUs), connected by fiber connections designed to support a range of AI applications (for example machine learning or neural networks) Optical fiber – glass thinner than a human hair – is the foundation of these neural networks. It is responsible for transmitting huge amounts of data at lightning speed.
The first low-loss optical fiber was created by Corning Incorporated in 1970. Today, optical fiber connects complex networks and allows AI to process and analyze vast datasets. Without fiber, data centers can’t compute even the most basic applications, let alone carry out AI tasks from understanding human language to generating lifelike images.
AI needs a lot of fiber – lots of it
The rise of AI has increased the demand for optical fiber like never before. AI networks require more than ten times more fiber Compared to typical frontend data center networks, smaller, streamlined, more powerful fiber components are required. Corning, the global leader in cutting-edge glass solutions, has prepared for the AI age.
Over the past several years, Corning’s engineers and product development teams have worked diligently to reimagine many key connectivity products for AI networks – making components smaller, optimizing existing space within data centers, and faster and easier for installers to deploy. Corning’s optical fiber technology is the backbone of the world’s largest AI network, enabling faster and more efficient calculations for your favorite apps and services.
In addition to optical fiber, Corning also produces glass components essential to the semiconductor industry, which power the chips and processors that make AI calculations possible. By providing the advanced materials that AI systems depend on, Corning is moving the world forward with every connection.
Meeting the growing demands of AI
AI is advancing rapidly, and behind every new application – whether it’s a smart virtual assistant or a self-driving car – there is a complex network that makes it possible. These systems require continued innovation and collaboration to meet growing demand. Companies like Corning are leading this work, working tirelessly to develop solutions that ensure AI systems can keep up with the pace of technological advancements.
For example, Corning® SMF-28® Contour Optical Fiber Has been integrated into our latest outdoor cable offering Contour™ Flow Cable – Designed to connect AI complexes over long distances and enable seamless data transmission. We have seen large adoption of this solution. A notable example of this can be seen in Lumen Technologies and Corning August 2024 Agreement Supplying Lumen Technologies with ample supplies of this next generation optical cable. This fiber-dense cable will more than double Lumen’s US intercity fiber miles, providing critical capacity to major cloud data centers racing to stay ahead of high-bandwidth applications driven by AI workloads and massive amounts of data.
looking towards the future
Advancing AI capabilities is not a solo effort – making these systems a reality requires cross-industry collaboration. Corning is working with some of the biggest names in technology to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Recently, Corning was named one of the NVIDIA’s Technology Innovation Associate in its silicon photonics ecosystem, which will significantly increase AI reliability while saving energy and network operating expenses.
Additionally, Corning and Microsoft are collaborating A new transformative program A strategic manufacturing collaboration to accelerate the production of Microsoft’s Hollow Core Fiber (HCF) that will help shape the future of AI and cloud networks around the world. Corning’s fiber and cable manufacturing facilities in North Carolina will produce Microsoft’s fiber, as Microsoft looks to advance the performance and reliability of Azure’s cloud and AI workloads.
These collaborative efforts show that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation – it requires teamwork and shared expertise across industries. By developing groundbreaking glass technologies and working with industry leaders, Corning is ensuring the world remains connected and AI continues to evolve to improve lives. With every new connection, Corning is helping shape the future – one strand of fiber at a time.
Michael Crook is a data center market development manager. He supports our hyperscale, multi-tenant and enterprise customers with new fiber-optic innovations and commercial solutions. With over 15 years of experience, Michael has accumulated considerable knowledge in the design and construction of fiber-optic network infrastructure for data center and carrier environments.