SHENZHEN, CHINA – September 9, 2026 – The 3rd Global Photonics & Semiconductor Industry Development Forum opened today at the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center, bringing together leading market analysts, industry executives, and technology pioneers from across France, Singapore, and China to address the accelerating convergence of photonics and semiconductor technologies.
Co-organized by the China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE), Asia Photonics Expo (APE), and International Integrated Circuit Innovation Expo (IICIE), the forum marks a pivotal moment as both industries navigate transformative growth driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure demands and next-generation computing architectures.
Industry at Inflection Point: AI Reshapes Technology Landscape
The forum comes at a critical juncture for both sectors. According to Stratistics MRC data, the global photonics and optoelectronics market reached USD 1,162.9 billion in 2026 and is projected to surge to USD 1,895.9 billion by 2034, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. Simultaneously, the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics Organization (WSTS) forecasts the global semiconductor market will hit USD 975 billion in 2026, approaching the trillion-dollar threshold—with AI computing infrastructure accounting for over 50% of data center semiconductor revenue.

Gary Huang, Corp VP, Head of Asia Pacific – Research and Business Development, YOLE Group
Gary Huang, Corp VP, Head of Asia Pacific – Research and Business Development, YOLE Group, in his keynote speech titled Photonics at the Core of the AI Vortex: An Overview of the Industry, explores the market dynamics across the AI photonics ecosystem, focusing on optical transceivers, co-packaged optics, and silicon photonics. Leveraging Yole Group's expertise across the value chain, from module to wafer, we highlight key technology trends, growth opportunities, and the evolving competitive landscape supporting the next generation of AI infrastructure.
Regional Ecosystems and Cross-Border Collaboration Take Center Stage

Ang Wee Seng, Executive Director of the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA)
The forum reflected growing recognition that no single region can dominate the increasingly complex photonics-semiconductor value chain. Ang Wee Seng, Executive Director of the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA), shared that “The opportunity in photonics lies in how well we connect complementary strengths across ecosystems, from research and innovation to manufacturing, talent and markets. Singapore can play an important role in bringing these capabilities together, with platforms such as CIOE and APE creating the connections and partnerships that can accelerate innovation towards global scale.”

Terry Teh, CEO of Advinno Technologies
Terry Teh, CEO of Advinno Technologies, provided insights into Singapore's photonics and semiconductor landscape, highlighting that “Singapore has built a strong ecosystem spanning advanced manufacturing, photonics research and commercialisation. As photonics and semiconductors continue to converge, platforms such as CIOE and APE 2027 play an important role in fostering international collaboration and translating innovation into real-world applications.”
Breakthrough Technologies: From Micro LED to Quantum Applications

Eric YB Chiou, Senior Research Vice President at TrendForce
Technical sessions explored cutting-edge innovations reshaping industry boundaries. Eric YB Chiou, Senior Research Vice President at TrendForce, delivered a speech titled Micro LED: AI Photonics Beyond Displays, highlighting its potential in co-packaged optics (CPO) for data center scale-up applications. Major players including Microsoft, Avicena, Credo, ams OSRAM, and MediaTek are accelerating commercialization efforts, though challenges in yield optimization and supply chain coordination remain.

Dr. Kimon Moratis, Market Intelligence Director at TEMATYS
Dr. Kimon Moratis, Market Intelligence Director at TEMATYS, presented a comprehensive global laser market analysis, noting the sector's remarkable 14% year-over-year recovery in 2025 following challenging years. Demand from communications, manufacturing, and defense sectors is driving sustained growth, with laser sources becoming indispensable components in modern optoelectronic defense systems and AI data center infrastructure. Dr. Kimon shared that “the exceptional performance of the global lasers market is driven by the high demand from the communications, defense and manufacturing industries. This forum provides a unique opportunity to interact with global leaders and industry experts, gaining the most up-to-date insights into business dynamics and trends in semiconductors and photonics”

Professor Kong Lingbao of Fudan University
Professor Kong Lingbao of Fudan University provided a forward-looking perspective on photonics technology development driven by AI, systematically examining the global photonics industry value chain from optical communications and sensing to next-generation displays and precision manufacturing. His presentation explored frontier directions including optical computing, quantum photonics, spatial intelligence, and metamaterials, offering strategic insights for industry stakeholders navigating the post-Moore's Law era.
APE 2027: The Gateway to Asia's Photonics & Semiconductor Opportunities

Sukumar Verma, Managing Director of Maritime, Energy & Industrial at Informa Markets in Singapore
In a landmark announcement, Sukumar Verma, Managing Director of Maritime, Energy & Industrial at Informa Markets in Singapore, revealed that the Asia Photonics Expo 2027 will undergo a strategic transformation. As the premier gathering for the photonics and semiconductor industry, APE 2027 will debut a groundbreaking three-exhibition co-location format:
• Asia Photonics Expo
• Asia Semiconductor Expo
• Asia Electronics Expo
"The expanded APE 2027 brings photonics, semiconductors and electronics together in one integrated marketplace, reflecting the growing convergence of these industries. From Singapore, companies can connect with qualified buyers, access new markets and build cross-industry partnerships that accelerate commercialisation across Southeast Asia and beyond,” said Mr Sukumar Verma, Managing Director of Informa Markets Singapore.
Silicon Photonics: The Bridge Between Two Industries
A recurring theme throughout the forum was the accelerating integration of photonics and semiconductor technologies. As Moore's Law slows and electronic interconnects face bandwidth and power consumption bottlenecks, silicon photonics—which integrates optical devices with electronic circuits using CMOS processes—is emerging as a critical enabler for next-generation applications.
Industry experts highlighted breakthroughs in co-packaged optics (CPO), chip-scale LiDAR, and foundational technologies for 6G communications and quantum computing. This convergence is driving unprecedented collaboration between traditionally separate sectors, creating new opportunities for innovation and market expansion.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Ecosystem Collaboration
The forum concluded with a clear consensus: success in the rapidly evolving photonics and semiconductor landscape requires sustained cross-regional collaboration, technology transfer partnerships, and ecosystem-wide coordination.
With over 150 industry leaders, researchers, and executives in attendance, the Global Photonics & Semiconductor Industry Development Forum established itself as an essential platform for strategic dialogue, emerging trend analysis, and partnership development.
As both industries enter a new growth cycle powered by AI infrastructure, autonomous systems, and next-generation computing, the insights and connections forged at APE 2027 will shape the trajectory of global technology development for years to come.
The Asia Photonics Expo will take place at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore from 3 to 5 March 2027. The tradeshow is free to attend and is open to trade professionals. Registration is now open here.
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About APE
Asia Photonics Expo (APE), Asia's premier gathering for the photonics industry, will return to the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore from 3–5 March 2027.

For its 2027 edition, APE unveils a transformative tri-expo format, uniting the Asia Photonics Expo, Asia Semiconductor Expo, and Asia Electronics Expo under one roof. This strategic convergence creates a powerful synergy, connecting key players across the photonics, semiconductors, embedded systems, and electronics sectors. By offering unparalleled access to Asia's dynamic markets and a broader base of end-users, APE 2027 is the catalyst for accelerating cross-industry collaboration, innovation, and regional market expansion.
For more information about APE, visit https://www.asiaphotonicsexpo.com