BSC and iPronics connect AI applications to optical connectivity

iPronics and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center are collaborating to address a critical bottleneck in artificial intelligence infrastructure. As GPU clusters expand to support demanding workloads like Large Language Models and Mixture-of-Experts, networking must evolve beyond static designs, according to iPronics CEO Christian Dupont: “AI infrastructure is reaching a point where scaling compute requires rethinking the network.” The two-year strategic technology collaboration will focus on programmable optical networking, integrating iPronics ONE, a rack-ready platform designed to bypass complex software development, into BSC’s high-performance computing environment. iPronics ONE Platform Streamlines Optical Integration for AI Workloads iPronics ONE bypasses historical limitations in data center deployment by delivering a rack-ready, plug-and-play platform for programmable optics, eliminating the need for complex, custom software development. This approach directly addresses a critical bottleneck as artificial intelligence infrastructure scales, demanding more dynamic networking aligned with the behavior of modern AI workloads. The platform’s design intends to integrate seamlessly into existing software stacks, allowing cloud providers and hyperscalers to maximize GPU utilization without extensive system overhauls. BSC’s expertise is particularly relevant as Spain’s national supercomputing centre; it leads Quantum Spain, the national quantum computing project, and operates at the intersection of conventional and quantum computing with the MareNostrum supercomputer. This position allows for unique system-level insights, as the BSC team, led by Antonio J. Peña, will develop the software intelligence that sits above the iPronics ONE switch-management layer. The partnership aims to connect the communication requirements of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) applications directly with dynamically reconfigurable optical connectivity, the company says. iPronics provides the programmable optical switching platform, low-level control software, and open APIs, while BSC focuses on the higher-level software that orchestrates the network based on AI workload demands. This full-stack innovation is intended to overcome the communication bottlenecks created by static interconnects at the scale required for these demanding applications, a problem that has become increasingly acute as GPU clusters expand. The collaboration seeks to demonstrate workload-aware network control across both hardware and software, ultimately lowering latency and reducing energy consumption. Source: https://ipronics.com/partnering-with-barcelona-supercomputing-center-to-advance-programmable-optical-ai-networks/ More like thisArtificial IntelligenceAMD EPYC chips now handle every step of agentic AI workflowsArtificial IntelligenceUCLA nanowire networks compute with billionths-of-a-meter linksDeep TechNewPhotonics and Tower Semiconductor Ramp Up Optical Engine ProductionQuantum HardwareDiraq and Dell link quantum chip to HPC for faster workflowsStay currentSee today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals. Tags: The Neuron With a keen intuition for emerging technologies, The Neuron brings over 5 years of deep expertise to the AI conversation. Coming from roots in software engineering, they've witnessed firsthand the transformation from traditional computing paradigms to today's ML-powered landscape. Their hands-on experience implementing neural networks and deep learning systems for Fortune 500 companies has provided unique insights that few tech writers possess. From developing recommendation engines that drive billions in revenue to optimizing computer vision systems for manufacturing giants, The Neuron doesn't just write about machine learning—they've shaped its real-world applications across industries. Having built real systems that are used across the globe by millions of users, that deep technological bases helps me write about the technologies of the future and current. Whether that is AI or Quantum Computing. Latest Posts by The Neuron: Can quantum computers model turbulence beyond current limits? September 19, 2026 UCLA nanowire networks compute with billionths-of-a-meter links September 19, 2026 NVIDIA launches AIPerf to reliably test LLM speed at scale September 19, 2026