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JANUARY 2026 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 11 puting, and AI algorithms. "Agent" platforms distribute heavy workloads across a network of linked computers while reducing latency by feeding real-time data directly back into AI models at the source. Once we train a model, we can deploy subsets closer to the genera- tion of new data. Synchronized workflow in robots, IoT, and AI will see more deployment. For example, the tasks for warehouse applica- tions include: 9. 2026 will be the year of advanced pack- aging and co-packaging. Bandwidth-hun- gry AI applications are driving the need for high-speed data transfer, leveraging the speed of light to deliver greater bandwidth, lower latency, and reduced power consump- tion. Hardware components are connected via copper interconnects, while the connec- tions between the racks in data centers often use optical fiber. Advanced packaging and co- packaging incorporate optical interconnects at the CPU and GPU levels, utilizing optical sig- nals, which drives the need for near-packaged optics with high-performance PCB substrates (or non-PCB interposers) on the host board, as well as photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Co-packaged optics (CPO)—a single package integration of electronic and photonic dies to enable connectivity within data centers at the speed of light through optics—complements existing short-reach electrical wires. 10. The strategy of bundling chips (vis-à-vis cut- ting-edge chips) will shape the competitive landscape. Whether bundling many chips can compete with the leading chips will create additional competitive pathways in the AI race. 11. The role of computing power, and thus, electric power, will intensify. The need for data centers and high computing power leads to an ever- higher demand for electric power and increas- ingly fierce competition between the U.S. and China. According to the International Energy Agency/Energy Information Administration, as of 2025, China has the largest power grid in the world, with 3.75 terawatts of power gen- eration capacity, more than double the U.S. capacity. It commands a low electricity cost of $0.03/kilowatt-hour versus the U.S. cost of $0.07–0.09 kilowatt-hour. • Running an AI-powered computer vision system allows the warehouse to identify and handle thousands of packages and inventory items • Aiding warehouse workers in picking orders • AI driving warehouse robots running onsite • Improving overall worker safety S M T PE R S PECT I V E S & PRO S PECT S Category Use Case/Focus Recommended Tool Simple/Sequential Tasks Simplicity Microsoft Magnetic-One Software engineering LangGraph Prompt role-based prompt engineering CrewAI Complex Multi-Step Workflows Control over agent interaction LangGraph Role-based workflows CrewAI Flexibility with APIs & memory management Swarm Task assignment AutogenAI Table 1: AI agents and agentic AI workflow tools for simple or complex workflows