On June 2, 2026, Jean-Marc Chery, the CEO of semiconductor behemoth STMicroelectronics, announced that, in light of the rapidly growing demand for silicon photonics technology in artificial intelligence data centers, the company is set to make a definitive decision regarding the expansion of its chip manufacturing plant in Creil, France, by the end of 2026. At present, AI data centers are rapidly embracing 'co-packaged optics' technology. This move is prompting a reduction in the distance between optical engines and processors, and consequently, there is an urgent need for high-speed optoelectronic interconnect capabilities. Given these circumstances, the likelihood of the plant's expansion has become exceedingly high.
