Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Selected as One of the World’s Top Industry Scientists by International Artificial Intelligence Alliance

George K. Giakos, Ph.D., department chairperson and professor of electrical and computer engineering, has been selected as one of the world’s top industry scientists by the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Alliance (AIIA). The designation is given to scholars and scientists who the organization believes can contribute towards the growth and dissemination of AI principles within the industry. 

As a member of this alliance, Giakos will be working to promote the practical applications of artificial intelligence across various industries, fostering economic development and societal progress and facilitating industry connections. The  AIIA notified Giakos that he had been selected by its board members for his research and contributions in the field of artificial intelligence. 

"I am incredibly honored to be named one of the world's top industry scientists by the AIIA,” said Giakos. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of my research team, colleagues and students at Manhattan College. We are constantly striving to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence and its applications and I am excited to continue working alongside such a talented group of individuals."

Giakos’ research interests lie primarily in technology innovation, through the integration of physics, engineering and artificial intelligence. He has more than 20 US and foreign patents and 350 peer review papers. He is the founding director of the Laboratory of Quantum Cognitive Imaging and Neuromorphic Engineering q(CINE) and Bioinspired Space Systems. Since 2000, Giakos has conducted research at prestigious US National laboratories and companies such as NASA, The Air Force Research Laboratory, The Office of Naval Research and Lockheed Martin on the development and advancement of polarimetric imaging systems, through several competitive awards and contracts. Polarimetric imaging systems can capture hidden details and information that ordinary cameras miss and can be used for many applications including, medical imaging, environmental monitoring and art restoration. 

Giakos and his Manhattan College students, pioneered an artificial intelligence vision sensor technology called a “Polarimetric Dynamic Vision Sensor p(DVS)s”, blending neuromorphic processors (types of computer chips modeled on the structure and function of the brain) with polarimetric principles (principles based on the understanding and manipulating the polarization of light) that can process visual information in a way that is similar to the human optical system. 

The AIIA was established in 2023 and is based in Hong Kong. It brings together scholars, scientists, government agencies and universities that are engaged in technology, research and development, applications, scientific education, consulting and investment and financing in the field of artificial intelligence.

“I congratulate our colleague Dr. George Giakos on his selection as one of the world's top industry scientists within AIIA," said Anirban De, interim dean of the School of Engineering. “This is a well-deserved recognition of Dr. Giakos' impressive record of scholarship as a faculty member at Manhattan College.”