Author: xr4human_admin

As extended reality technologies become increasingly embedded in our lives, the question of how to design these virtual spaces responsibly is more urgent than ever. What values should guide creators? Who decides what’s ethical in XR — and how do we move from abstract principles to real-world impact?

Yesterday, XR4Europe’s Michael Barngrover hosted an insightful discussion featuring
Shereen Cox, PhD (University of Oslo) and Dr Lene Aarvelta Hagen (University of South-Eastern Norway), exploring the evolving XR4Human Code of Conduct.

This live conversation unpacked:

• The foundational principles behind the Code
• The tension between high-level ethics and actionable guidelines
• The role of such a document in a fast-changing, global XR ecosystem

This was the first in a three-part series of live sessions designed to illuminate the work and thought behind the XR4Human Code of Conduct — a resource built to support XR developers in making informed, ethical decisions.

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Watch the live discussion

Read and comment on the current draft of the Code of Conduct

Join the online discussion in our forum

Let’s build virtual worlds with human values at the core.

We are thrilled to announce the release of three educational videos as part of the XR4Human project!

The development of these educational materials is a core component of our mission to enhance the quality and safety of XR experiences for end users. These resources aim to empower European citizens by providing clear and accessible information about XR applications, helping users make informed choices tailored to their specific needs.

By raising awareness and deepening understanding of immersive technologies, we hope to equip users with the knowledge they need to navigate digital environments safely and responsibly.

About the Videos:

1️⃣ Foundational knowledge

• This video provides viewers with a foundational understanding of XR technologies. It begins by defining the various types of XR—Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR)—and explaining how these relate to one another.
• Additionally, it delves into the technological developments that enable immersive experiences, offering an accessible overview of the building blocks behind XR.

2️⃣ Ethical and practical risks in XR

• The second video focuses on raising awareness of the ethical and practical risks associated with XR technologies. It addresses critical topics such as:
  • Data privacy risks from tracking and data collection.
  • Accessibility challenges faced by different social groups.
  • Interoperability issues across XR platforms

3️⃣ Best practices for responsible XR use

• The third video highlights the best practices proposed by XR4Human and introduces the principles shaping our code of conduct.
• It provides practical examples from the XR4Human Library that showcase adherence to ethical standards.
• The objective is to advocate for responsible use of XR, offering viewers practical strategies and actionable guidelines to make informed and safe choices when engaging with immersive technologies.

The content is systematically structured to guide viewers from basic concepts to real-world applications, ensuring that the information is accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of familiarity with XR.

Check out our videos here:

Ethics and Innovation in XR: Workshops You Don’t Want to Miss!

Join us on 9 December for two groundbreaking XR4HUMAN workshops that focus on advancing ethical, human-centered development in XR technologies. These sessions are your chance to contribute to shaping a responsible and collaborative XR ecosystem.

Workshops:

1. INTEGRATING ETHICS INTO XR: A EUROPEAN CODE OF CONDUCT FOR RESPONSIBLE DESIGN

In this interactive session, we’ll present a draft European Code of Conduct aimed at embedding ethical practices into XR design and production processes.

• Led by experts: Rosemarie de La Cruz Bernabe and Rigmor Baraas
• What to expext:
  • Breakout discussions to critically assess the Code of Conduct
  • Opportunities to provide expert feedback
  • A plenary session to synthesize ideas and contribute to ongoing conversations about responsible XR practices
    🔗 Learn More

2.INTEROPERABILITY: CO-CREATING SOLUTIONS WITH EUROPEAN SMES

This session will focus on interoperability, the backbone of a future where humans and machines collaborate seamlessly.

• Organised by: XR4HUMAN and OPENVERSE
• What to expect:
  • Strategies for aligning technology, production processes, and data formats
  • Insights into co-created solutions with European SMEs to foster interconnected, human-centered XR ecosystems
    🔗 Learn More

Why These Workshops Matter
These sessions explore critical aspects of XR development—ethics and interoperability—ensuring that emerging technologies remain human-centered, responsible, and collaborative.

Important Note: Registration is required for workshops.
👉 Register Now

Join us to be part of the solution and contribute your voice to the ethical evolution of XR technologies.

The XR4Human Project recently held its General Assembly in Athens, bringing together partners to evaluate progress and plan the project’s next phases. Over two productive days (November 13–14, 2024), WP leaders presented significant milestones across key areas such as interoperability, ethical frameworks, and user-rating system. A notable highlight was a workshop focusing on risk of harm descriptors/categories for developers, led by Lene Aarvelta Hagen, Shereen Cox, and Cristiana-Anca Voinov, emphasizing the project’s dedication to ethical practices in XR technologies.

The Advisory Board, with insights from Christine Perey, Theo Karapiperis, and Alexei Grinbaum, offered invaluable guidance, particularly during discussions about aligning diverse perspectives and shaping the project’s final deliverables. Key sessions included the development of the Code of Conduct, the rating system, and a sustainable Experience Library, ensuring XR4Human’s work remains impactful and relevant.

As the project enters its final year, priorities include a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy, preparations for the final conference, and finalizing critical outputs such as the Policy Roadmap, the XR Code of conduct and Interoperability Guidelines.

Stay tuned for exciting updates as XR4Human continues its mission to pave the way for responsible XR technologies!

Dr. Shereen Cox, represented the XR4Human Project at the 14th ERION (EARMA) meeting in Barcelona, Spain, on October 30, 2024. Her insightful presentation, “Mapping of Ethical Issues in Extended Reality – A Scoping Review of Ethics Frameworks,” shed light on the complex ethical considerations surrounding XR technologies and highlighted the importance of structured frameworks in guiding responsible development of XR technologies.
This year’s meeting, hosted by Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), centered around the theme: Artificial Intelligence and Ethics: The Big Wave.

XR technologies gather sensitive data like eye movements and facial expressions, raising crucial privacy concerns. Are current frameworks like GDPR enough to protect users, or do we need XR-specific measures?
Share your thoughts on data protection in XR: Join the discussion
We kindly ask for your contribution to the discussion before the end of October.
Important Clarification:
To participate in the XR4Human Forum, you need an XR4Europe account, which is free to create.

If you already have an account, simply log in via the “Login” button at the top right corner of the screen. This will take you to the XR4Europe sign-in page.

If you don’t have an account, follow the provided link to register: Become a member
👉 You are also welcome to share your thoughts directly in the comments section of the related LinkedIn post

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: