The Metaverse is a growing network of virtual and augmented digital worlds that exist in parallel with the physical world. There is a lack of consensus around the baseline understanding of what Metaverse brings along wrt risks and opportunities. This talk is to create a common baseline understanding across a multidisciplinary audience.
Session Video
The panel consisted of three experts in the field of XR (extended reality) technology: Courtney Cogburn, Brian Wassom, and Noble Ackerson. Dr. Cogburn emphasized the importance of understanding the role of racism in producing health inequities and using XR technology to create empathy and understanding around the experience of racism. Wassom discussed the legal implications of XR technology, including intellectual property and privacy concerns, and recommended early collaboration between lawyers and technologists to address these issues. Ackerson focused on the potential for XR technology to enhance human-centered product delivery and recommended the creation of a code of ethics and standards for the industry.
The panel discussed the challenges and opportunities of XR technology, including the need for diversity and inclusivity in the development and implementation of XR technology, the importance of considering the impact of XR technology on society, and the potential for XR technology to promote social justice and advance important causes.
Overall, the panel emphasized the need for collaboration and communication across industries and disciplines to ensure the responsible and ethical use of XR technology, and the potential for XR technology to create positive change in the world.
During the panel, the speakers discussed a range of topics related to XR technologies and their impact on society. Some of the key ideas and insights included:
- The potential of XR technologies to create more immersive and interactive experiences in various industries such as education, healthcare, and entertainment.
- The need for a balanced approach to using XR technologies, taking into account both the potential benefits and potential risks and challenges, such as the ethical and legal considerations around data privacy, cybersecurity, and bias.
- The importance of diversity and inclusion in the development and deployment of XR technologies, to ensure that they are accessible and beneficial to all members of society.
- The need for cross-disciplinary collaboration and education, bringing together experts from different fields such as technology, law, and social science, to address the complex challenges and opportunities presented by XR technologies.
- The role of XR technologies in promoting social justice and equity, such as by providing new tools for exploring and addressing issues related to racism and other forms of discrimination.
To conclude, the panel emphasized the importance of taking a thoughtful and proactive approach to the development and deployment of XR technologies, to ensure that they are used in ways that benefit society as a whole and promote a more just and equitable future.
