Keynote:
Living in a World of Light - The hidden technology shaping our lives

What if the most powerful technology shaping our future is something we rarely stop to notice?

Ryszard Piramidowicz is one of Europe’s leading experts in optoelectronics and integrated photonics — and a scientist who literally works with light. He is the Director of the Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) Development Programme at VIGO Photonics, and Associate Professor and Head of the Optoelectronics Division of the Institute of Microelectronics and Optoelectronics at Warsaw University of Technology.

Bridging science and entrepreneurship, Ryszard is also the co-founder and CEO of LightHouse, the first Polish PIC design house and a university spin-off, translating deep research into real-world applications. His expertise spans optical spectroscopy, solid-state laser techniques, fiber-optic communications, and integrated photonics — the invisible backbone of today’s digital and sensing technologies.

With over 450 scientific publications, leadership roles in more than 30 R&D and investment projects, and international recognition in the Photonics100 ranking (2025) for contributions to integrated photonics and technology leadership, Ryszard stands at the forefront of Europe’s luminous innovation landscape. He is President of the Polish Committee of Optoelectronics (SEP), a member of IEEE, Optica and SPIE, and part of the Photonics21 Board of Stakeholders — helping shape the future of photonics across the continent.

At SOHJO 2026, Ryszard invites us to rethink something fundamental: How important is LIGHT in our everyday lives?

In his keynote “Living in a World of Light. The hidden technology shaping our lives”, he will illuminate how photonics powers the technologies we rely on daily — from communication and healthcare to security, sensing and sustainable solutions — often without us even realising it.

We’re thrilled to welcome Ryszard to SOHJO Business Event as part of Photonics Finland x SOHJO Partnership.