Beyond the Realverse: AI-driven Challenges and Opportunities in the Future of Human Communication – Apr 24, 2025
Session Description
April 24 2025 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Join us at the Schwartz Reisman Institute for a talk by Pablo Perez (Nokia) and fireside chat with Grace Ahn (CACHE Lab, University of Georgia) followed by a reception and VR demos.
The evolution of human communication extends beyond conventional voice and video calls, increasingly involving immersive Extended Reality (XR) experiences powered by artificial intelligence. XR represents a significant advancement, enabling physically distant participants to virtually share spaces, either by virtually teleporting to each other’s environments or by creating a shared distributed reality. Artificial intelligence transforms these virtual interactions, combining real-time audio, video, and multi-sensory data from diverse sources into cohesive, dynamic environments that feel natural, intuitive, and emotionally engaging. AI-driven avatars further enhance communication by offering lifelike representations of absent participants or intelligent assistants tailored to each situation.
But how can this technological toolbox be strategically leveraged to find the “killer app” that drives widespread adoption of XR communication? By adopting an inclusive-by-design approach, XR technology can enhance human communication by addressing individual limitations and augmenting personal capabilities—effectively providing each user with personalized “superpowers” that improve accessibility and empathy in daily interactions. This talk will share practical experiences, highlight key findings, and explore exciting new directions for research and innovation in XR communication.
