While the lineup at the Laser Focus World Executive Forum covered a wide array of topics, there was a very common theme across the presentations and panels: preparing photonics companies for the future.
Accenture’s Miles Klingenberg presented about the semiconductor industry, including some of the industry’s challenges, trends, and the opportunities resulting from interesting new applications. Specifically, he dove into the important role artificial intelligence (AI) could play in the future.
Optica CTO Jose Pozo moderated an engaging panel on silicon photonics (SiP). The panelists represented an array of players within this future-focused sector of photonics debating what role SiP could play as the industry continues to mature, and what’s necessary to overcome the obstacles keeping SiP from being the leading technology today.
Additionally, Leonardo Electronics’ Robert Walker moderated a panel on directed energy with the entire spectrum of players active within the field, from researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a component supplier in Leonardo Electronics, and a few prime contractors (Lockheed Martin and Raytheon). They discussed the advancement of laser-based warfare, and what it means to other component suppliers.
SPIE’s Jennifer O’Bryan gave an update on the U.S. funding to position the country as the leading producer of next-generation chips. This is not only a key initiative for the larger U.S. tech industry, it represents significant opportunities for photonics-based companies to play pivotal roles.
During the sit-down keynote, Thorlabs president Jennifer Cable discussed the importance of building a company culture. Then, the day ended with a riveting panel on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). How does this focus on DEI relate to the other topics? It is a dedication to diverse talent that brings about the full array of creativity needed to fuel the type of innovation needed as the industry moves into its next phase of maturity.
