[This story from Vice’s Motherboard reports on a political party in Denmark that is using artificial intelligence, personified by a (presence-evoking) chatbot called Leader Lars, to generate its policy platform. The idea goes beyond having a chatbot as a political candidate to allowing party members and others to shape the party’s platform by interacting with the AI. In addition to advocating political positions, a key goal is “raising more awareness about the role of AI in our lives and how governments can hold AI accountable to biases and other societal influences.” There are plans to expand the Party internationally. See…

[This Wired analysis of Meta’s latest virtual reality headset and the company’s plans to incorporate less immersive means of accessing shared virtual spaces considers two problems: The still-limited quality of nascent VR technologies and the metaverse (however it’s defined) means that only a minority of consumers and even workers want to use them, and when the minority of people who do use VR meet and collaborate in virtual spaces with the majority who don’t, it produces an undemocratic and potentially dysfunctional distribution of immersion and presence. Theoretically the first problem will be solved when the technology is (finally) ready for…

[The Toronto Star reports on how large-scale projection-mapped images and accompanying soundtracks are providing popular immersive entertainment experiences and challenging the definition of art. As one of the experts who hope the sector will turn to original, contemporary and even narrative-based source material says, “They’re barely touching on what this technology can do right now — the level of illusion and how it can create this sense of presence.” See the original story for a second image. –Matthew] Disney signs deal with Toronto’s Lighthouse Immersive to develop new projection art experience Projection-driven immersive exhibitions are revolutionizing the arts world and…

[The TV Guide review below of a new Amazon Prime Video series based on William Gibson’s novel The Peripheral and brought to the screen by the producers of HBO’s Westworld avoids major spoilers and makes clear that the series portrays, and addresses issues related to, advanced forms of presence. Not all the reviews are as positive (see The Hollywood Reporter and especially The Verge, but the program’s IMDb entry at this writing has an 8.3/10 rating). For more information and insights about the series see Wired’s interview with the producers. GeekWire’s coverage notes that series creator/producer/writer Scott B.…

[Initial evidence that the presence evoked by singing in virtual reality may have positive effects on health and wellbeing is discussed in this story from the University of York. In addition to the links within it, see a 15:49 minute talk by Professor Helena Daffern on YouTube. –Matthew Could virtual reality singing have mental health benefits? October 20, 2022 Researchers have created a virtual reality choir to understand whether virtual singing could have the same health and wellbeing benefits as group singing in real life. The team test the virtual reality singing experience in care homes. When in-person group singing…

[The short story below from ABC27 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and the press release from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections that follows describe an innovative use of presence-evoking virtual reality. –Matthew] [Image: Source: FOX 56] Virtual reality brings incarcerated Pa. parents closer to their kids By: Bryan Munoz Posted: October 17, 2022 / Updated: October 18, 2022 (WHTM) — The Department of Corrections is teaming up with Pittsburgh nonprofit Amachi for a one-a-kind initiative. “It’s an incredible opportunity for kids and parents to reconnect especially after a long period of no visitation,” said Anna Hollis, executive director for Amachi. It involves…