On May 8, 2025, the Photonics Industry Ecology Conference, themed "AI Empowerment, Illuminating the Future," was held in Nanjing. At the conference, the first large-scale photonics model in China, OptoChat AI, was officially released. This model was developed by the NJU based innovative research institution, IOPTEE. Attendees included Zhou Hongbo, Member of the Standing Committee of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Nanjing Municipal Party Committee; Tan Tieniu, Chair of NJU CPC Council and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Lu Weidong, Member of the Standing Committee of the Nanjing Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Jiangbei New Area Party Working Committee; and Academicians Zhu Shining, Wang Jinlong, and You Xiaohu.
The conference focused on the deep integration of artificial intelligence and the photonics industry, aiming to create a new starting point for innovation in research paradigms, industrial development, and ecological collaboration. Over 200 representatives from government, universities, research institutions, and the industry gathered to discuss the application of AI technology in key areas such as photonic material preparation, chip design and manufacturing, and system integration.
Zhou Hongbo, Tan Tieniu, Lu Weidong, and Zhu Shining jointly launched the release ceremony of the OptoChat AI photonics model.
Professor Zhu Shining, a Nanjing University professor and founder of IOPTEE, stated that the release of this model is an action to implement the central government's strategic decisions. As an innovative research institution jointly established by Nanjing City and Nanjing University, IOPTEE aligns with national technological innovation trends, closely follows industry developments, and firmly believes in the creativity and wisdom of young people. He invited attending academicians, experts, researchers, engineers, and AI ecosystem partners to participate in the construction of the OptoChat AI model, helping it grow and better support photonics research and intelligent manufacturing, thus serving major national strategies and industrial development.
Wang Hairuo, a young product manager born in the 2000s, demonstrated the model's functionalities and interface. The model, co-developed by IOPTEE and its ecosystem partners, focuses on practical value in understanding photonics, processes, and applications. It is a specialized AI model for the entire photonics industry chain, integrating over 300,000 patents, literature, and industry data related to photonic chips, with powerful data analysis and intelligent algorithm capabilities that significantly enhance the efficiency of optoelectronic chip R&D and industrial transformation.
The conference also released the "Global Photonics Industry Ecosystem Co-construction Initiative," advocating for an open, innovative, collaborative, win-win, and sustainable global photonics industry ecosystem. Reports on AI and photonics integration were presented by Professor Liu Aiqun from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Wang Xinran from Nanjing University, Dr. Ma Yin, co-founder of QBosoN, Dr. Li Cheng, founder of QuantaEye, and Dr. Fei Tao, Deputy General Manager of SiFotonics Technologies delivered speeches during the meeting.
