Photonics is a promising field for improving computing performance, especially with the rise of AI. German startup Akhetonics aims to build a general-purpose chip using an all-optical approach, offering high performance in real-time applications like networking and avionics. The company recently raised €6 million to develop this technology, with plans to deliver a commercial product by mid-next year. Akhetonics’ approach focuses on rethinking chip architecture from first principles, aiming to reduce costs and reliance on geopolitically sensitive supply chains. Investors believe in the potential of optical technology for general-purpose computation, despite some skepticism in the industry.
