Corning, a U.S. corporation, has thrown down the gauntlet in the Korean AI data center infrastructure market, leveraging its high-density optical communication technology that is gaining attention in the era of generative AI.
On the 26th, Corning held a press conference at its Seoul office in Gangnam with the theme "The future of AI data centers made of glass," unveiling its high-density optical communication solution "Glassworks AI." The strategy aims to respond to the surging demand for data processing by using high-density optical fibers instead of copper wires traditionally employed in existing data centers.
Founded in 1851, Corning is the corporation that pioneered the optical communication era by developing the world's first low-loss glass optical fibers in 1970. It currently holds the number one global market share in the optical fiber and cable sector. Vaughn Hall, President of Corning Korea, noted, "The emergence of generative AI is providing significant growth opportunities for the optical communication business," adding, "Connecting distributed data centers quickly and reliably is one of the key aspects of AI infrastructure."
According to Corning, data centers executing large language models (LLMs) necessary for deploying generative AI, such as ChatGPT, require about ten times more optical fibers than traditional data centers. In particular, racks with NVIDIA's latest AI chip "Blackwell" based GPUs must be connected with up to 16 times more optical fibers than before. However, since the physical size of data center racks remains the same, placing more cables reliably in limited space has become a technical challenge.
In response, Corning has developed optical fibers approximately 40% thinner than before, enabling the placement of more cables in the same space. The high-density cables, tightly bundled with these optical fibers, can hold twice as many fibers compared to existing ones, allowing for more efficient use of conduit space. Additionally, Corning has developed high-density connectors that can accommodate up to 36 times more optical fibers than previous connectors, maximizing connection efficiency. Corning explained that it has reduced installation times by up to 70% through customized solutions that are pre-assembled to meet the design of customer data centers.
Corning also provides optical fiber technology for long-distance connections between data centers. Hall stated, "In the U.S., numerous cases already exist where high-density cables have been applied while maintaining existing conduits," and added, "We will apply this technology in Korea to provide innovations that can simultaneously reduce costs and construction times." Currently, there are 66 data centers operating in Korea, most of which are traditional general data centers. However, in the future, dedicated generative AI data centers are expected to be built across the country. Consequently, Corning anticipates a surge in demand for optical fibers connecting these data centers.
Hall said, "Corning will contribute to the expansion of the generative AI data center market through partnerships with the Korean government and private corporations," noting, "All telecommunications companies in Korea are Corning's clients, and we are collaborating in various ways, but specific plans regarding the establishment of generative AI data centers have not yet been finalized."
He said, "Korea has long been a country leading innovative technologies, and Corning has collaborated with Korean corporations for over 50 years through glass," adding, "As we enter the AI era, we will work together to open a new 50 years in the optical communication sector with Korea."