Microwave photonics (MWP) is an interdisciplinary field that integrates microwave engineering with photonic technology to enable ultra-fast signal processing, leveraging the exceptional speed and broad bandwidth of photonics. In parallel, artificial intelligence (AI) has seen rapid advancements, particularly in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. However, conventional electronic hardware struggles to keep up with the increasing computational demands of AI, especially in real-time processing and large-scale data analysis. This has motivated the exploration of alternative computing paradigms, including photonic computing. The integration of AI with MWP holds significant potential for next-generation intelligent systems. Photonic computing platforms can leverage the ultra-fast speed, parallel processing, and low power consumption of optical signals to accelerate AI-related tasks. Optical neural networks, photonic tensor processors, and MWP-based reservoir computing are emerging as promising solutions for AI acceleration. This talk will explore MWP techniques for AI, highlighting key applications and examples of how MWP can be utilized to support AI-driven computing and signal processing. Additionally, the implementation of photonic-assisted AI using photonic integrated circuits (PICs) will be discussed, addressing the challenges and opportunities in developing compact, scalable, and efficient photonic AI hardware.

Jianping Yao is a Distinguished University Professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Ottawa, Canada. He is known for his contributions to Microwave Photonics. Prof. Yao has authored over 400 refereed journal papers and 300 conference papers, with more than 30,000 citations and an H-index of 90. He was Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Photonics Technology Letters (2017-2021), an elected member of the Board of Governors of the IEEE Photonics Society (2018-2021), and currently a member of the IEEE Photonic Society Publication Council. He was an IEEE Distinguished Microwave Lecturer (2013-2015). Prof. Yao received the 2018 R.A. Fessenden Silver Medal from IEEE Canada and the 2025 IEEE Microwave Application Award from the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society. Prof. Yao is a Fellow of IEEE, the Optica (formerly Optical Society of America), the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and the Royal Society of Canada.