Agenda

Description

Studios and brands can super-power their creative teams by harnessing the power of Generative AI to create novel content in a fraction of the time of traditional methods.

Generated imagery, photography, audio, and, increasingly, code and 3D assets can be used in the ideation, production, and marketing of AR games and apps.

Companies are better positioned to reduce crunch time and cap costs by understanding the different options and best practices related to Generated AI content.

Speakers

Rupert Breheny

Emerging Technology Advisor , Cobalt Stars

Description

As we look ahead toward some version of a ‘metaverse’, more attention than ever is being paid to the opportunities of immersive tech. Headsets are improving so much that researchers are already talking about the increasingly blurred lines between virtual and reality. Now AI technologies like ChatGPT offer the chance to interact with virtual beings/generative agents in a hyper-real, but astonishingly natural way.

In this talk I will share 5 points that are important to consider when designing a VR experience that includes believable virtual characters with a conversational AI platform powered by a GPT model. These principles have emerged from our work in building a prototype to help address loneliness and reduce associated cognitive decline in the elderly where accessibility is a prime concern.

Speakers

Angel Brown

Group Director Experience Strategy , Digitas Health

Description

Throughout this speech, we will delve into the transformative power of 3D & Augmented Reality for Display ADV and how it serves as a solution for brands and media agencies in defeating all their day-to-day challenges. We will address the main advertisers headaches, such as banner blindness and the lack of differentiation, and explore how immersive rich media can effectively overcome them.

Our discussion will focus on the significant benefits that they bring to the table, particularly in terms of enhancing brand recall, brand lift, and engagement. By creating interactive and engaging experiences, 3D & Augmented Reality captivates audiences and stands out amidst the sea of traditional advertising formats.

We will analyze compelling case studies to showcase the effectiveness of immersive rich media in driving memorable brand experiences. Additionally, we will explore the underlying principles and best practices in order to implement these campaigns, ensuring maximum impact and desired outcomes.

Join us as we uncover the potential for 3D & Augmented Reality for Display ADV, how it reshapes the advertising landscape, and the strategies that brands and media agencies can employ to leverage its capabilities.

Speakers

Mattia Salvi

CEO , Aryel

Description

Realistic avatars are fundamental to VR experiences. Avatar SDK leads the way in creating lifelike avatars from selfies. In this discussion, we'll delve into the state of the art and the challenges associated with creating recognizable avatars. Topics will include avatar customization, the uncanny valley, and methods for measuring avatar likeness, as well as the implications of deep fakes.

Speakers

Victor Erukhimov

CEO , Itseez3D

Description

Join us for an overview of how policymakers around the world are making sense of the metaverse, virtual worlds, and their enabling technologies. The session will consider how best to approach the development of the metaverse, and it will inform the audience about ongoing government initiatives, current areas of focus, and what to look out for in the future.

Speakers

Patrick Grady

Editor , Metaverse EU

Isabella Williamson

Associate Director , Consulum

Juan Bossicard

Strategic Campaign Manager Metaverse Europe , Meta

Juliana Koza

Senior Manager Government Affairs , Qualcomm

Joan V. O'Hara

Vice President of Public Policy , XR Association

Anne Bajart

Deputy Head of Unit , European Commission

Description

As XR developers and artists, our work is strongly defined by interdisciplinary approaches and collaborations, driven by the interest in extending artistic-speculative concepts and spatial perception through immersive and interactive media. At Immerea, we are constantly driven to offer new and challenging perspectives on perception and interaction within the captivating realm of VR games with high artistic quality. As media artists, we thrive on exploring the intersection of experimental animation, immersive installations and hybrid performances, between physical and virtual realms. This talk focuses at the convergence of these two practices, where interdisciplinary approaches unlock new possibilities for both personal artistic expression as well as for the creative XR industries.

Speakers

Flavia Mazzanti

Cofounder and CCO , Immerea

Manuel Bonell

Cofounder and CEO , Immerea

Description

Join us for a deep dive into the VR/AR sector's core challenges, sourced directly from industry professionals. This session aims to arm attendees with actionable insights, strategies, and success stories to navigate these hurdles effectively. Discover the transformative power of community-driven knowledge-sharing and leave inspired to take on the challenges that lie ahead. This isn't just another talk; it's a guide to elevating your XR journey.

Speakers

Daniel Colaianni

Chief Executive , AIXR

Description

Developers of XR devices face the challenge of how to inform people when smart device wearers are taking photos/videos, mapping a space, or processing an environment for contextual AI.

This presentation details the framework we’ve developed at Meta to think about how to tackle this nuanced challenge, which was informed by research and conversations with policymakers as well as the public.

While expectations in this space are still evolving, we share some of the most salient social and technological factors we’ve considered when building the early generations of our own smart glasses with bystanders in mind.

Speakers

Nathan White

X-AR Policy Manager, Meta Reality Labs , Meta

Description

For one of the clients, a global leader in MedTech, Lucid Reality Labs has developed a range of complex scenario-based immersive experiences to enhance the excellence of its products and services. In collaboration with healthcare experts in this endeavor, an AI-driven medical expert was explicitly designed to elevate one of the training solutions for surgeons to the next level.

As the AI-powered medical assistant of a prominent and globally recognized professor, this advancement not only achieves an impressive visual likeness but also encompasses ongoing work on voice cloning and enriching the knowledge base. The AI expert meticulously monitors each action learners take, providing immediate guidance and answers to questions, empowering learners to progress at their own pace. To further enhance the learning experience, our AI assistant has been imbued with a distinctive 'personality,' offering support on both general and professional levels, incorporating professional humor and anecdotes. Emulating a renowned Swiss physician and expert in anesthesiology and prehospital emergency medicine, Lucid Reality Labs' Assistant ensures a reliable and trustworthy learning journey.

Speakers

Alex Dzyuba

Founder & CEO , Lucid Reality Labs

Description

Roughly half of all modern games include NPCs or AI characters, making them an integral part of the user experience. However, when applied to XR applications, current-gen AI characters tend to stumble into the "uncanny valley" because they feel robotic and inauthentic. We found that this valley can be bridged by combining two up-and-coming technologies. Behavioral AI brings characters to life with believable movements and actions in virtual environments, while conversational AI provides them the capability to engage in meaningful, evolving dialogues.

This talk delves into the mechanisms and potential outcomes of integrating these two distinct technologies. It's a journey toward a future where interactive characters are far more than simplistic avatars—they move, react, and converse in a manner that echoes authentic human behavior. Let's explore this frontier together, aiming to leapfrog the uncanny valley and construct characters that don't merely mimic life, but reflect it.

Speakers

Wendelin Reich

CEO-CTO , Virtual Beings

Description

This fireside chat will explore the past, present and future of VR fitness, its problems and opportunities. We will discuss:

• How did VR fitness become a stable market with a strong following, high user retention and a fast-growing developer community?

• How do VR and VR fitness improve health and mobility, and how can they be used for injury recovery and rehabilitation?

• What are the new trends in VR hardware and how can developers and users benefit from them?

• What are the new opportunities in enterprise markets?

Speakers

Keith Leddington

Director of Partnerships , FitXR

Ivan Isakov

CTO , Valkyrie Industries

Description

The Institute for Forensic Medicine at Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany has launched a ground-breaking solution that revolutionizes the way examinations of people who are victims of violence are conducted in hospitals. The ARMED (Augmented Reality assisted, Forensic Medical Evidence collection and Documentation) project uses cutting-edge telemedicine technology to guide examining physicians in the collection and documentation of medical evidence. By wearing data glasses that transmit their findings to an expert in Heidelberg, the examining physicians are provided with real-time instructions on how to carry out the examination and document evidence. The project is specifically designed to provide comprehensive and expert care for people affected by violence.

With IMPACT-AI (Improving Medical Procedures And Care Through AI-powered forensic examination for people affected by violence) we aim to develop an AI-driven data analysis procedure and a "digital twin". This AI-driven process offers benefits such as cost-saving, more time for human interaction, and easy translation into other languages. Join us as we present the current status of our exiting work and provide deeper insights into the development process.

Speakers

PD Dr. Dorothea Kaufmann

Faculty Member, Assistant Professor , Heidelberg University of Education

Description

Join us as we share a map of digital fashion that demonstrates the following:

- Segmentation of target audience groups and value for each group
- Major digital fashion use cases that can bring predictable results and sales in 2024
- Ways to connect digital fashion instruments with overall online and offline communication of the brand
- Methods to try the water and plan long-term

The above will be based on practical cases for world-renowned brands.

Speakers

Samantha Tauber

Founder, Music and Mulit-Media artist, Futurist , VNCCII

Ashumi Sanghvi

CEO & Founder , MAD Global and Future+

Lili Eva Bartha

Founder and CEO , GN3RA

Dmytro Kornilov

Co-founder/CEO , FFFACE.ME

Description

The panel discussion on "Immersive Technology as a Tool for Empowerment in Emerging Economies" aims to explore the dynamic intersection of technology and socioeconomic development in regions that are undergoing rapid transformation.

As emerging economies strive to bridge the gap between traditional practices and modern advancements, immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are emerging as powerful tools for empowerment. This panel will bring together experts from various disciplines engaged across bodies of the European Union and the World Economic Forum to dissect the multifaceted impact of immersive technology on knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship, policy regulations and social inclusion.

Speakers

Gianluigi Vona

Web3 Advisor , Acumen Public Affairs

Patricia Paulina Karrer

XKIC SRI Manager , EIT Manufacturing

Jennifer Bettinger

Responsible Tech Innovation Strategy , Accenture

Elena Bascone

Ambassador for Italy , Women in Immersive Technologies (WIIT) Europe

Description

More and more live entertainment companies are exploring 3D virtual worlds as a new content distribution channel, to engage audiences in new ways and explore new monetization opportunities. Sports has always been at the forefront of innovation and has been using data to augment the viewing experience for many years. Now we see important technology waves come together to change live sports entertainment forever.

This talk discusses how advances in artificial intelligence is making live 3D data, for example of athletes, available in real-time, and how paired with the increasing adoption of 3D interfaces, this allows for a completely new live sports experience. We cover the state of the art of generating live 3D data, who the key players are (companies like Hawkeye, Beyond Sports, Move.ai etc.), and how it is used in a range of applications already today to provide fans at home a more immersive and interactive experience.

Speakers

Christoph Ortlepp

Co-Founder & COO , Virtex

Alexandra Nancarrow

Chief of Strategy & Partnerships , VR Motion Learning

Description

In a world pulsating with limitless innovation, let's pause and consider the profound role ethics play in shaping our technological journey. Join us on this enlightening expedition as we uncover the inseparable link between innovation and responsibility, discovering practical strategies to infuse ethical considerations into every facet of our work and lives.

Our mission is clear: to ensure technology remains a servant of humanity, not just for today's generation but for all those to come. Ethics isn't a barrier; it's the cornerstone empowering innovation to magnify positive transformation.

Imagine an ecosystem where XR, AI, and Web3 innovations are guided by unwavering ethical principles, cultivating a tech landscape rooted in inclusivity and human-centric values. Engage in thought-provoking conversations that challenge the norm, sparking new ideas to fuel a future where ethical standards propel our advancements.

Don't miss this golden chance to help shape a tomorrow where innovation and responsibility walk hand in hand. Join us as we forge a path towards a more ethical and impactful tech landscape!

Speakers

Mariachiara Tirinzoni

Host , Independent Researcher

Isabel De Peuter-Rutten

Director | President , Euromersive | Federation of EU XR Professionals

Description

Discover how mixed reality (MR) is being used to enhance the training of medical first responders for challenging contexts. Medical first responders are confronted with an increasing number of mass-casualty incidents with many injured people that include include:

• Proper evaluation of the situation itself
• Checking and monitoring the vital status of a large number of victims
• Choosing the most appropriate strategy to further proceed with treatments are particular challenges

In the H2020 project MED1stMR, an innovative mixed reality (MR) training technology is developed that combines real-world patient simulation manikins with virtual environments to train medical first responders for these challenging situations. Through the integration of high-fidelity patient simulation manikins and the medical equipment into the MR experience, a much richer sensory experience is offered, allowing trainees to immerse into virtual scenarios and be able to feel and perceive vital signs and actual movements of the limbs, head, and face through tactile and visual interaction as they are actuated.

This brings virtual training closer to reality and enable both scenario training and medical training in the same MR training environment. Furthermore, it enables systematic manipulation of a large set of potential influence factors to optimize training effects.

The realization of a bio signal feedback loop with body sensors allows for monitoring trainees' stress and behavior during training and will make this data available for scenario control. The trainer can adapt training to the personal needs of trainees and provides a new way of interaction between the trainer and trainee.

This is sure to be a beneficial session for all those in healthcare fields so join us and be prepared to ask any questions you might have.

Speakers

Markus Murtinger

Head of Competence Unit , AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH

Daniela Weismeier-Sammer

Researcher Assistant & Emergency Paramedic , Johanniter Austria

Description

Data is the new oxygen for businesses and that proves to be even more correct when in XR. While these technologies do provide opportunities for customized service and automation, the amount of data available to collect and the low consumer education on the topic allows bad practices to happen. These can result in harmful scenarios, halving trust when using XR experiences.

This talk will take you through new and not-so-new ad formats enabled by XR technologies, how they are leveraging user data and how a purposeful, ethical marketer can create efficient, safer, non-exploitative XR ad campaigns.

Speakers

Luis Martins

VP , XRSI

Description

In this captivating abstract, visionary director Victoria Bousis will delve into the profound impact of virtual reality (VR) as a catalyst for empathetic engagement and compassionate policymaking. Bousis's latest creation, "Stay Alive My Son," a groundbreaking, immersive and interactive VR experience, recounts the powerful journey of Yathay Pin, a survivor of the Cambodian genocide who made the heart-wrenching decision to leave his young son behind for a chance at survival. Recently, “Stay Alive My Son,” won the Producers’ Guild Association Innovation Award for making movie history as a full-length and interactive VR narrative, by allowing audiences to become the protagonist and experience their story first-handedly.

Through the medium of VR, Bousis effectively conveys the emotions of ambiguous loss, regret, guilt, and unwavering hope for justice and reunion by allowing audiences to step into the shoes of a father and experience these emotions for themselves. As ordinary citizens and policymakers, by truly experiencing versus passively watching these emotions, they become vested personally, thereby humanizing the legal barriers and issues with a mission to change global policy for good.

Bousis's talk will extend beyond the immersive storytelling aspect, outlining the broader implications of "Stay Alive My Son" in mobilizing bottom up “community-driven initiatives” and top-down movements leading up to the United Nations’ Global Refugee Summit in Geneva in December. Her advocacy, combined with the emotive power of the VR experience, seeks to expedite family reunification processes in accordance with the United Nations' pledge to limit legal formalities to a 5-year cap, safeguarding the human right to family unity.

Having premiered in over 21 global festivals, including Venice, Cannes, and SXSW, and receiving countless awards, "Stay Alive My Son" has already proved its mettle. This session will offer an opportunity for Bousis to share insights into the adaptation process, technological advancements in digital humans, interactive spatial and game design used for interactive narratives, the intended impact of the project, and its future potential to inspire change.

Attendees can anticipate an inspiring discussion on leveraging technology for social change, highlighting the potential of VR to shape policies through deeply personal, human-centered storytelling, while also exploring its potential in illuminating untold stories for furthering social change.

Speakers

Victoria Bousis

Founder, Creative Director , UME Studios

Description

The state of the immersive healthcare market over the last two years since the end of pandemic and expectations for the next 18-24 months.

Speakers

Bob Fine

Executive Director , IVRHA