Artificial intelligence and the rise of optical computing

Modern information technology (IT) relies on division of labour. Photons carry data around the world and electrons process them. But, before optical fibres, electrons did both--and some people hope to complete the transition by having photons process data as well as carrying them. Your browser does not support the audio element. Unlike electrons, photons (which are electrically neutral) can cross each others' paths without interacting, so glass fibres can handle many simultaneous signals in a way that copper wires cannot.