Risks and Challenges for Inclusive and Equitable Immersive Experiences

Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) has the potential to transform the way individuals work, learn, and interact, by allowing employees to collaborate from anywhere in the world, making critical services such as healthcare and education more accessible, and creating new channels for social connections. However, there are potential challenges that industry leaders and policymakers will need to consider to maximize the availability of immersive technologies across a wide range of demographics. Some of the many risks associated with AR/VR include the following: immersive experiences present accessibility challenges that may not arise in two-dimensional media; the cost of AR/VR devices remain high for many potential users; and implicit and explicit bias and discrimination that exist in the “real world” will inevitably transfer into virtual experiences. This report identifies potentially vulnerable groups and outlines responses industry leaders and policymakers should take to mitigate these challenges.