John Hanke, the CEO of Niantic Spatial, is building AI systems that understand and interact with the physical world.
Best known for creating Niantic and launching global hits like Pokémon GO, Hanke has long championed technology that enhances real-world experiences rather than replacing them. His career has spanned geospatial innovation, from cofounding Keyhole (which became Google Earth) to leading product teams for Google Maps, Earth, and Street View.
Currently, he is focused on advancing location-based AI and mixed reality through spatial computing, helping people rediscover the joy of walking, exploring, and playing in the real world.
