[This CBC story describes a creative and boundary-extending use of virtual reality and presence in a theater experience designed by Chris Salter, the Director of the Immersive Arts Space at the Zurich University of the Arts. See the original story for four more pictures. The Montreal shows have unfortunately ended but you can find out more about Animate on the MUTEK website. –Matthew] [Image: An audience in the Italian city of Paestum watches a performance of the VR-enhanced play Animate by director Chris Salter. Credit: Megan Williams/CBC] Canadian play on climate change brings digital and physical worlds crashing together VR…

[Arguably another step toward more effective presence illusions, a new 3D billboard campaign for the UK retail chain Marks & Spencer features live action, ‘in camera’ images rather than computer-generated ones. For context, coverage in DesignTAXI notes that “If there’s an emerging trend in the world of out-of-home advertisements, it’s 3D billboards. Previously, Subway allowed passers-by to design their very own sandwiches in real-time, while Adidas celebrated Lionel Messi’s World Cup victory with a giant display.” Creative Review adds ”The 3D billboard is definitely having a moment, with brands using the format to sell everything from movies to trainers (see…

[A new study published in Nature’s Scientific Reports finds that watching repeated immersive, first-person 360 videos of a person eating M&Ms, especially if the viewing is accompanied by chocolate scents, may evoke a sense of presence and cause habituation that leads to decreased craving and eating of the candy (but note that presence itself wasn’t measured and no comparison with a less immersive media experience was included). The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) press release below includes many of the details and lots of quotes from the researchers; the link to the open-access article in Scientific Reports is at the end.…

[For decades now the misperception that a computer is a human-like social actor rather than just a technology following its programming has been considered an illusion. And until recently it seemed clear that the perception of an AI as more than a technology was too. But as this story from Science reports, as technology evolves the distinctions become less clear. Scholars across disciplines are now developing methods and measures to help us separate effective mimicry that evokes medium-as-social-actor presence, from machines that have actually attained consciousness. Even defining the key terms is challenging (e.g., consciousness is not the same as…

[A team of researchers and doctors have made it possible for a paralyzed woman to speak again through an on-screen avatar. The technology still has significant limitations, but the potential for continuing refinements offers hope of restoring more natural communication for many people. The inspiring story is reported by The New York Times, where the original version includes additional details, ten more pictures, a 4:49 minute video (also available via YouTube) and two more short videos. From… –Matthew] A Stroke Stole Her Ability to Speak at 30. A.I. Is Helping to Restore It Years Later. The brain activity of a…

[This story from Psychology Today describes potential psychological benefits of immersive horror experiences that combine “live actors, intricate sets, physical effects like heat and cold, and psychological ‘tricks’ to help induce fear.” As the author is careful to note, these intense experiences aren’t recommended for or appealing to everyone (!). See the original version for a second image. –Matthew] [Image: Credit: Mathias Verduyckt / Quietus Horror] Scream Therapy: The Benefits of Immersive Horror The unexpected mental health benefits of facing fear through immersive horror. By Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. | Reviewed by Devon Frye August 7, 2023 Standing blindfolded,…