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May 7, 2026 -
European scientists are turning to light to avert a looming energy crisis threatening the future of AI, streaming, and digital services.
As demand for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data-intensive applications accelerates, power systems are under increasing pressure. Data centres and digital networks could soon require the output of entire power stations simply to move information from place to place.
But, a new European research initiative aims to break this trend by replacing traditional electronic data processing with ultra‑efficient photonic technology – using light instead of electricity to transmit and compute data.
The approach could dramatically cut energy use across AI systems, mobile networks and everyday digital services.
Experts warn that data centres already consume around 1.5% of global electricity, and demand is projected to more than double by 2030, driven largely by AI and the rapid growth of digital services. As systems get faster, electrical signals generate more heat, waste more power, and push energy infrastructure to its limits.