Aerospace & Electronics Systems Society

Speaker: Johannes Galatsanos-Dueck, Co-Founder and CEO of Diffraqtion

Satellites, robots, and drones relying on conventional imaging and AI are fundamentally limited by the diffraction limit of classical optics and the power and compute constraints of edge AI processing. Quantum imaging offers a new paradigm: processing information directly from incoming light, enabling orders-of-magnitude improvements in resolution, sensitivity, and processing efficiency. By moving part of the computation into the physics of light itself, quantum imaging dramatically reduces the need for power-intensive downstream processing while unlocking capabilities that classical systems cannot achieve. This breakthrough enables a new class of Physical AI systems for Earth and space observation that are both far more capable and significantly more cost-effective. The technology has the potential to unlock transformative applications—from discovering exoplanets and protecting critical assets in space and on Earth, to enhancing financial intelligence and enabling earlier, more reliable wildfire detection.

Bio: Johannes is the Co-Founder and CEO of Diffraqtion, where he is leading the development of a breakthrough quantum camera designed to expand how satellites and machines perceive the world –  seeing farther, resolving finer detail, and enabling faster, smarter decisions at the edge. Previously, he built and scaled world-class teams delivering advanced products across Data, AI, and Quantum Technology, consistently turning deep technical innovation into high-impact systems.