Month: September 2024

During our recent workshop, a major focus was creating a unified vision for the Code of Conduct that will guide the ethical development and application of XR technologies across Europe. This vision is designed to offer practical direction, addressing every phase of XR’s journey—from its initial conception to its real-world implementation.

Central to this vision is the idea that XR technologies should contribute positively to society by prioritizing responsible and thoughtful innovation. This involves designing XR solutions that genuinely enhance people’s lives and place their well-being at the forefront.

The Code of Conduct aims to lay the groundwork for developing XR technologies that are fair, inclusive, and focused on human needs. It will ensure that these technologies address the diverse requirements of all involved, fostering a future where XR enhances equity, accessibility, and social responsibility.

For more details, please read the article written by Melissa Amorós Lark and Marco Correa Pérez (XR4Human partners at Leiden): https://www.leidenlearninginnovation.org/stories/building-ethical-xr-the-european-code-of-conduct/

As we continue refining this framework, we’re excited to share further progress and insights into building a responsible XR landscape!

The XR4Human Project was thrilled to participate in the European Commission’s conference, “European Research Area: Fostering Greater Integration. Advancing Competitiveness,” supported by INSPIRING ERA!

We proudly showcased our work through a poster presentation, highlighting our contributions to advancing research in XR Ethics. In addition to the presentation, we also participated in a fun and educational scavenger hunt, which provided both enjoyment and valuable insights.

As the event concluded, a key takeaway resonated with us: “Taking steps to grasp the momentum to change the landscape of ERA in partnership, unity, by securing and utilizing diversity.” This message continues to inspire us as we move forward, fostering collaboration and diversity to shape the future of research.

Carlos, our XR4Human avatar, shares insights from the XR4Human report on the ethical issues surrounding immersive technologies.

While these technologies offer immense societal benefits, they also come with significant risks, such as:

• Physical and emotional harms (cyber sickness, addiction, social exclusion)
• Financial and economic concerns (gambling, ownership issues)
• Cultural harms (lack of representation)
• Breaches of privacy and autonomy

To address these challenges, XR4Human project proposes solutions, including legislative measures, industry best practices, and user empowerment.

Watch the video 👇 and stay tuned stay tuned for our upcoming open-access publication!

In the video, XR4HUMAN: Immersive technologies and its applications, Lisa explains the concept of extended reality (XR), which combines the physical world with digital elements using technologies.

Different types of immersive technologies are described:

• Virtual Reality (VR)
• Augmented Reality (AR)
• Mixed Reality (MR)
• Virtual Worlds

Lisa also describes the expansion of immpersive technologies beyond th military and gaming industries into sectors such as education, healthcare, tourism, and retail. Additionally, she emphasizes the XR4Human project’s mission to develop ethical guidelines for responsible development of XR technologies.

Watch the video and stay tuned for more updates: