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Chinese researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Tsinghua University have introduced LightGen, an all-optical AI chip that significantly surpasses silicon-based GPUs in generative tasks. LightGen achieves image and video synthesis up to 100× faster and with 100× better energy efficiency compared to NVIDIA's A100.

The chip utilizes over two million photonic 'neurons' in a 3D stacked architecture, allowing high-resolution, parallel processing. Unlike traditional GPUs, it minimizes heat generation and power consumption, addressing key challenges in modern AI datacenter infrastructure.

While LightGen excels in benchmarked tasks, it remains a prototype, with future work needed to scale its design for more complex AI models. The development reflects a trend in the semiconductor industry towards photonics, with major companies, including NVIDIA, exploring optical technologies for data centers.