TMTPOST – Lightmatter, a startup valued at $4.4 billion, has introduced two new technologies designed to enhance the speed of connections between artificial intelligence chips. Unlike traditional methods that transfer data via electrical signals, Lightmatter’s approach leverages optical connections and silicon photonics to transmit information using light, promising faster and more efficient data movement. Based in Mountain View, California, Lightmatter has raised $850 million in venture funding as interest in optical technologies surges in Silicon Valley. Investors and tech firms are increasingly looking for innovative ways to link chips together to power AI-driven applications, including chatbots and image generators. Major AI chipmakers are also exploring optical solutions. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has showcased optical technologies integrated with its chips, while Nvidia recently introduced optical components in some of its networking chips. However, Nvidia’s CEO cautioned that the technology is not yet mature enough for widespread adoption across all of its products.