Rafik Ward

Company chief strategy officer and chief marketing officer at Lumentum, responsible for corporate strategy and outward storytelling; experienced optics and photonics executive with decades in laser and data-center interconnect technologies.

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Dec 3, 2025 • 30min

How Photonics Will Transform AI Data Centers: Lumentum CSO/CMO Rafik Ward

Rafik Ward, the Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Lumentum, shares insights into the future of optics in AI data centers. He explains how optical interconnects are crucial for handling the immense data demands driven by AI. Rafik discusses Lumentum's expertise in lasers and the shift from copper to optics at the rack level. He also highlights challenges in rebranding for B2B markets and scaling manufacturing to meet demand. Discover the exciting potential of co-packaged optics and why traditional copper won't disappear entirely!

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