# How Lumentum Became a Critical Piece of the AI Boom

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-rundown-6758831/how-lumentum-became-a-critical-piece-of-the-ai-boom
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-rundown-6758831/how-lumentum-became-a-critical-piece-of-the-ai-boom.md
Podcast: [The Rundown](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-rundown-6758831)
Published: 2026-06-07T20:49:02+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-rundown6/episodes/How-Lumentum-Became-a-Critical-Piece-of-the-AI-Boom-e3kf47g
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO2700997518.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-rundown-6758831/episodes/how-lumentum-became-a-critical-piece-of-the-ai-boom
Duration seconds: 1506

## Resource

Lumentum CEO Michael Hurlston joins The Rundown to explain why fiber optics have become one of the most important pieces of the AI infrastructure boom. He breaks down how AI data centers are shifting from copper to optical networking, why hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and NVIDIA are driving unprecedented demand, and what makes Lumentum’s laser technology so difficult to replicate. Michael also shares his perspective on NVIDIA’s investment in the company, the risk of another fiber bubble, and why he believes AI infrastructure spending is still in its early stages. Plus, we discuss the next big trend in networking: co-packaged optics and the future of AI connectivity.

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## Transcript

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