Public demo
Is reality finished? Exploring the metaverse and AI's impact on society
The concept of the Metaverse is a persistent extended reality space where millions can interact simultaneously using virtual, augmented and mixed reality technologies. Just as the Internet has become integral to our lives today, the Metaverse could redefine how we connect, work, and play in a highly immersive virtual world.
However, this prospect raises important questions. Imagine walking down a real street wearing augmented reality glasses or contact lenses – essential in that future world – and being surrounded by virtual people. With AI-generated characters indistinguishable from humans, we need new frameworks to understand authenticity and navigate the metaverse world.
These advancements also touch on deeper philosophical and societal questions. For instance, will these AI characters have human rights and be taken as entities with agency? How do we sustain shared realities that foster trust and democratic discourse in increasingly fragmented digital spaces?
In this panel discussion we will discuss how initiatives such GuestXR project offer an opportunity to shape this future thoughtfully. Rather than contributing to dystopian outcomes, can we ensure that technologies serve to enhance collaboration, empathy, and shared understanding?
During this demonstration we will showcase a Virtual Reality environment with a real virtual body representation of participants, including facial expressions. This is a unique opportunity to experience some of the GuestXR technology in action and observe a discussion with experts in the field.
Line-up
Panelists:
Doron Friedman, Professor and Head of the Advanced Reality Lab, Reichman University
Vojta Smekal, PhD, Maastricht University
Darian Meacham, Professor of Practical Philosophy, Maastricht University
Esen Küçüktütüncü, PhD student, Event Lab, University of Barcelona
Joanna Luberadzka, Researcher at the Multimedia Technology Unit, Eurecat
Ferran Argelaguet, Research Scientist, Inria centre at Rennes University
