Inference in artificial intelligence with deep optics and photonics

Artificial intelligence tasks across numerous applications require accelerators for fast and low-power execution. Optical computing systems may be able to meet these domain-specific needs but, despite half a century of research, general-purpose optical computing systems have yet to mature into a practical technology. Artificial intelligence inference, however, especially for visual computing applications, may offer opportunities for inference based on optical and photonic systems. In this Perspective, we review recent work on optical computing for artificial intelligence applications and discuss its promise and challenges. Recent work on optical computing for artificial intelligence applications is reviewed and the potential and challenges of all-optical and hybrid optical networks are discussed.

Automated summary

Artificial intelligence tasks require accelerators for fast and low-power execution. While general-purpose optical computing systems have not matured into a practical technology, recent research shows promise for optical computing in artificial intelligence applications, particularly for visual computing. The potential and challenges of all-optical and hybrid optical networks are discussed in this Perspective.