Europe & South Korea pursue low-energy photonic AI

Researchers in Europe and South Korea are developing photonic processors that use light for parts of AI computing, as concern grows about the electricity demand of data centres and future digital services.

The work is part of HAETAE, a €1.49 million project funded through the EU's Horizon Europe programme and the Chips Joint Undertaking. The consortium aims to develop next-generation photonics-based AI hardware that uses photons rather than electrons to process information.

AI data centres already consume significant power, and demand is rising as AI expands across consumer and enterprise services. Growth in streaming, gaming, healthcare, transport and financial technology is adding to the load. Energy planners and infrastructure investors have warned that digital workloads will become a larger driver of electricity demand over the coming decades.

Long-term modelling cited by the consortium suggests Europe will need more generation, more renewable capacity, and changes to grid operations as it approaches mid-century. For computing, this implies that efficiency gains will become a major design constraint for future AI systems, especially for training and inference workloads that run continuously at scale.

Photonics approach

Photonics already underpins global communications networks, where optical fibre replaced copper wiring for many long-distance links. HAETAE applies the same physical principles to computing. The project focuses on photonic integrated circuits and optical processing methods that reduce reliance on electrical signals in parts of the compute pipeline.

Supporters of the approach argue that photons can move quickly through an optical system and generate less heat than electrical switching under similar operating conditions. Lower heat output could ease data centre design constraints and shift the balance between compute density and cooling.

"By using light rather than electricity to perform calculations, we can make AI dramatically faster and far more energy-efficient, while opening the door to entirely new computing capabilities," said Miltiadis Moralis, HAETAE's coordinator.

"To put it simply, if we think of today's AI hardware as a steam engine, this new photonics technology has jet propulsion."

The project also links photonic processing to cybersecurity research for cloud environments, treating security as a design requirement for AI services handling sensitive personal and commercial data. The consortium also argues the work is relevant to next-generation high-speed networks, where latency and bandwidth shape user experience.

Moralis described the intended impact in terms of performance, cost and system-level effects. "Photonics offers a way to keep digital services improving without driving energy consumption through the roof. For everyday users, this could translate into faster and more responsive AI services, from digital assistants to real-time translation and search; lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact, as data centres consume less electricity; and improved digital healthcare, transport and communication systems, powered by ultra-efficient AI," he said.

Cross-border project

HAETAE brings together European photonics laboratories with South Korean research institutes and technology organisations. The consortium presents the collaboration as part of a broader push to reduce strategic dependencies and build supply chains that can withstand disruption.

"Future computing will be built through international collaboration. This partnership allows Europe and South Korea to combine complementary strengths and push the boundaries of what AI hardware can achieve," Moralis said.

HAETAE is coordinated by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Participants listed by the consortium include IMEC in Belgium, AkhETonics in Germany, and the Korean institutes KAIST and DGIST. The project combines academic and industrial expertise in photonic integration, chip design and optical systems.

Greece's role

A significant share of the research is being led from Thessaloniki, which the consortium describes as part of broader growth in Greek photonics and semiconductor research. It also highlights work at Greek universities and research institutes, including Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the National Technical University of Athens, ICCS, and FORTH.

"Greece has become one of Europe's most dynamic centres for photonics and optical computing research," Moralis said. "HAETAE reflects how European innovation can thrive through strong academic foundations combined with deep international collaboration."

The HAETAE programme runs until 2027 and is expected to deliver scientific results and industrial groundwork in photonic integrated circuits, optical AI processing, and security-focused computing design.