Technical Event
Lens Design Technical Event
25 August 2026 • 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM PDT | Marriott Marquis, Coronado (Level 4, South Tower)
Session Chair: Kyle Fuerschbach
Where AI Fits in Lens Design Today and Where it’s Headed Next
Lens designers! Join us for our annual gathering to meet and discuss…lens design! Let’s talk about what we’re designing, how we’re going about doing it (what materials, software, techniques, etc.), and which problems we’re encountering. We’ll also explore current technical and commercial trends in the marketplace.
This year's featured speaker, Nick Cirucci, will present on the intersection of lens design and artificial intelligence.
Can AI take my job?
Artificial Intelligence is booming, and it is now a driving force behind both the economy and the modern workplace. Adopting AI is no longer optional. Those who fail to adapt risk falling behind.
Lens design is a natural candidate for AI-driven tools, with complex and multivariable solution spaces, long iteration cycles, and analyses which can be accelerated through algorithmic optimization.
Nick’s past work will be reviewed but not covered in as much detail as when it was originally presented: “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Lens Design.” Current advancements in AI techniques as they apply to lens design will be discussed, along with practical observations from recent developments.
We’ll tackle the all-important question a lens designer eventually asks themselves: not whether AI exists in our workflow, but what its role really means for the future of our jobs.
Nick Cirucci is an Optical Systems Engineer at Zygo-Ametek. He joined Zygo in 2020. He has also worked at Microsoft HoloLens and L3Harris KEO. His technical interests are in automation and efficiency in optical engineering. He has worked on a broad range of tasks, including new product development, project management, lens design and tolerancing, stray light analysis, programming, optical alignment and manufacturing, and general systems engineering, to name a few.
Nick is the lead or co-author of three patents and three technical papers, not including expected publications in 2026.
Nick has a wife, two daughters, and cat. He enjoys cycling, photography, and is a devout Catholic. He has lived in 18 places throughout his life for various reasons. He hopes to stay in one place for a while now that he has a family!
Part of the Current Developments in Lens Design and Optical Engineering XXVII conference.
Sponsored by:
Light refreshments sponsored by:
The Optical Solutions Group at
MENU: Ice cream sandwiches and frozen yogurt bars provided by Keysight Technologies.
SETUP: Classroom style seating.
Where AI Fits in Lens Design Today and Where it’s Headed Next
Lens designers! Join us for our annual gathering to meet and discuss…lens design! Let’s talk about what we’re designing, how we’re going about doing it (what materials, software, techniques, etc.), and which problems we’re encountering. We’ll also explore current technical and commercial trends in the marketplace.
This year's featured speaker, Nick Cirucci, will present on the intersection of lens design and artificial intelligence.
Can AI take my job?
Artificial Intelligence is booming, and it is now a driving force behind both the economy and the modern workplace. Adopting AI is no longer optional. Those who fail to adapt risk falling behind.
Lens design is a natural candidate for AI-driven tools, with complex and multivariable solution spaces, long iteration cycles, and analyses which can be accelerated through algorithmic optimization.
Nick’s past work will be reviewed but not covered in as much detail as when it was originally presented: “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Lens Design.” Current advancements in AI techniques as they apply to lens design will be discussed, along with practical observations from recent developments.
We’ll tackle the all-important question a lens designer eventually asks themselves: not whether AI exists in our workflow, but what its role really means for the future of our jobs.
Nick Cirucci is an Optical Systems Engineer at Zygo-Ametek. He joined Zygo in 2020. He has also worked at Microsoft HoloLens and L3Harris KEO. His technical interests are in automation and efficiency in optical engineering. He has worked on a broad range of tasks, including new product development, project management, lens design and tolerancing, stray light analysis, programming, optical alignment and manufacturing, and general systems engineering, to name a few.
Nick is the lead or co-author of three patents and three technical papers, not including expected publications in 2026.
Nick has a wife, two daughters, and cat. He enjoys cycling, photography, and is a devout Catholic. He has lived in 18 places throughout his life for various reasons. He hopes to stay in one place for a while now that he has a family!
Part of the Current Developments in Lens Design and Optical Engineering XXVII conference.
Sponsored by:
Light refreshments sponsored by:
The Optical Solutions Group at
Event Details
FORMAT: General session with one featured speaker and live audience Q&A and general discussion.MENU: Ice cream sandwiches and frozen yogurt bars provided by Keysight Technologies.
SETUP: Classroom style seating.