[The technologies are or soon will be available to let us create multi-platform (embodied and disembodied) artificially intelligent versions of ourselves to interact with other people and companies and their virtual representatives. This story from Computerworld thoughtfully considers some of the possible presence-implicated scenarios (interacting with your own virtual assistant suggests an intriguing form of self presence!). For more information including a 0:24 minute video see coverage in BGR.  –Matthew] [Image: ObEN co-founder and CEO Nikhil Jain and his virtual self] Why you’ll fire Siri and do the job yourself In the world of A.I., the best virtual assistant might…

[This story from The Verge summarizes and provides links to other coverage of a new application of presence-evoking technology: to simulate and prepare teachers for a school shooting. Some of the important ethical issues are highlighted at the end; the AP story includes a 2:19 minute video report; and the Gizmodo story notes that “It’s a dark irony that after 1999’s Columbine High School shooting, parents, teachers, and lawmakers tried to blame video games. Now, in 2018, VR simulations are attempting to prepare parents and teachers to save lives during similar shootings.” –Matthew] The Army and DHS are making a…

[A new generation of smart glasses will offer voice-activated interaction with our AI-powered virtual assistant, bone-conduction audio, an augmented reality display, and prescription lenses in light and stylish frames, which together will evoke multiple forms of spatial and social presence. The story below about the less expensive audio-only LET Glass is from Digital Trends, where the original includes different images and a 2:26 minute video; for much more information follow the link to the Indiegogo page. For coverage of Vuzik’s new AR-capable glasses see a story from Bloomberg, which notes that “everyone” (Amazon, Google, Facebook, etc.) will likely be launching their…

[As Sony launches a new more sophisticated version of its robotic dog AIBO, this story from TechRadar considers the future of robotic pets and whether we should encourage medium-as-social-actor presence responses in their young users. For more on the old and new AIBO/aibo, see coverage in The Daily Beast. –Matthew] What will tomorrow’s children make of robot pets? From Aibo to Cozmo, what does the future hold for bot pets? By Rich Wordsworth December 16, 2017 My robot is bored. I’ve done everything I can. Anki’s ‘Cozmo’ – Wall-E-meets-EVE in the cab of a forklift – costs around £200 /…

[In addition to the ethics of creating a disembodied or embodied version of a person to maintain a sense of their presence after they die, this story from The Daily Beast considers the possibility of transferring your consciousness into technology so that you experience your continued existence after your body dies (in addition to the episode of Black Mirror mentioned, the many interesting implications of such a prospect are explored in the British series Humans). –Matthew] [Image: photo illustration by Sarah Rogers/The Daily Beast] When You Die, You’ll Live on as a Robot Memories die with those who keep them,…

[In this story from The Conversation amusement academic Malcolm Burt reviews the increasing use of VR and presence in amusement and theme park rides, its benefits and drawbacks, riders’ desire for narrative, and the possible futures of the rides and parks. The original story includes three more images and six videos; see Burt’s YouTube channel for even more. –Matthew] [Image: The author on a VR waterslide in Germany. Because why not? Malcolm Burt, Author provided] Virtual reality has added a new dimension to theme park rides — so what’s next for thrill-seekers? Malcolm Burt, Amusement academic, Queensland University of Technology…