I don't think the safety concerns raised hold much water. When the aircraft is operating, there are plenty of things that can cause damage to people on the outside life engine intakes, radar emmisions. The system would have to be mechanically limited in its trajectory, and have similar safety levels to that used on the radar system etc?
Regarding "I am well aware CNC laser controllers can handle complex shapes but these generally utilise a moving welding head and require very close proximity to the workpiece to effect a good weld. In laser terms that is a whole world removed from the ability to direct a laser from many feet away to a remote point to effect thermal deicing. There is also a fifth unstated brash assumption that melting a strip of ice will lead to airflow assisted complete deicing, as opposed to the water running back and refreezing. The author also skips the issue of calibration of the device. Given the accuracy required will it self calibrate each flight, and will it be required to be recailbrated each time the wing surface receives a bash?" - see the link below!
http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/abl/
Using compressor bleed air to de-ice in-flight is very heavy on the engine sfc, and the primes are working hard to develop systems to reduce the arcraft consumption (if not eliminate it completely). and as it states in the report, the smaller jets just can't afford the toll it takes on engine performance.
I would say watch this space. Regarding the KISS theory - in which industry does logic come into it?