China is making waves in the AI hardware race with breakthroughs like the Meteor-1 optical chip, which uses light instead of electricity to process data faster and more efficiently. Analysts say this could be a game-changer for AI development, especially as demand for computing power skyrockets with tools like generative AI. Traditional electronic chips are hitting limits, so these optical innovations might just unlock the next phase of AI progress.

Editor’s Note: If you’ve ever wondered why AI models take so much time (and energy) to train, it’s because today’s chips are straining under the workload. Optical computing could be the fix—think of it like upgrading from dial-up to fiber-optic internet, but for AI brains. China’s push here isn’t just technical; it’s strategic, potentially reshaping who leads the global AI arms race.