An optical solution for encryption could transform global security, although the lasers that drive it remain large and expensive.

A group of scientists in Greece has created an optical encryption system that could revolutionize data protection and minimize the risk of traditional cyberattacks. The research, recently unveiled, reveals that this innovative technique combines artificial intelligence (AI) with holograms generated by high-powered lasers, offering a level of security that could be virtually impenetrable.

Unlike conventional encryption methods based on mathematical algorithms, this new approach relies on the physical properties of light. This makes it resistant to advanced computer intrusions, including quantum ones. Stelios Tzortzakis, the team leader, emphasizes that the need for robust protection systems is becoming increasingly urgent, especially in areas such as cryptocurrencies, governance, and social media.

The system in question uses a chaotic pattern that emerges when a powerful laser interacts with a small container of ethanol. This phenomenon, enhanced by thermal turbulence in the liquid, obscures the original information in such a way that it becomes nearly unrecognizable, making decoding through traditional methods difficult. To facilitate the recovery of encrypted data, the researchers employed artificial intelligence, training a neural network to recognize and decrypt the altered holograms. As a result, they achieved an accuracy rate of 90-95% in the process of retrieving original images.

Tzortzakis underscores that this was a significant advancement, mentioning that “we created trillions of complex connections within the neural networks, allowing us to reconstruct the shapes of the original light beams.” This, coupled with an approach that ensures reliability under adverse conditions, enables the system to adapt to real-world challenges, such as weather conditions that often affect optical systems in free space.

Despite its promising results, the technology is not yet ready for commercialization. The laser system currently used is considerably large and costly, which limits its viability and accessibility. The researchers have tested their method by encrypting and decrypting thousands of images, ranging from animals to everyday objects, but there is still work to be done before this technology can reach the market.