[Descriptive scenarios set in different time periods are an engaging way to illustrate how and how quickly our use of technology – in this case presence-evoking technology – is advancing. This column by Mike Elgan in Computerworld is a good example. –Matthew] [Image: Screenshot from Apple Developer video “Platforms State of the Union” with a woman’s avatar presenting a whiteboard graphic of a Living Office Case Study; a caption of the narrator’s  audio from the video is at the bottom of the screen and says, “and feel more present like they are gathered in the same physical space.”] How spatial…

[Scientific American provides a cogent primer on the past, present and possible future of using technology to alter or replace human actors in film, television and video games. Among other insights, the story makes clear that digital alteration of people’s appearance and even the use of “digital doubles,” is and has long been very common. –Matthew] [Image: An employee stands in a cage in which dozens of cameras simultaneously capture his image during a presentation of a photogrammetry process at the headquarters of French video games developer and publisher Quantic Dream in Paris. The photogrammetry process is used to develop…

[As some readers will know, I’m interested in and collect clocks, and have pointed out that they often provide social cues that can evoke medium-as-social-actor presence (this is especially true of spring- and weight-driven antique mechanical clocks that have pendulums and tick and chime). The story below from DesignTAXI describes an unusual new feature in the Loftie digital alarm clock that produces an AI-generated human voice reading a personalized bedtime story. Lifewire’s coverage adds this: “This is being advertised for bedtime stories but could be used at any time by anyone, young or old. … [The voices] actually sound real…

[I’m guessing many of us can relate to this short first-person essay from Medium in which technology and business expert Atul Salgaonkar describes the challenges and satisfaction of introducing others to the “bigger picture” of virtual reality. He also describes an interesting presence project from his past. Follow the link for his name to read other, related essays in Medium. –Matthew] [Image: A chart by the author displaying user engagement with VR during three eras: VR 1.0 (Hobby, VR 2.0 (Games) and the era we’re entering now, VR 3.0 (Experiences)] Virtual Reality in the larger context By Atul Salgaonkar, Founder…

[A new exhibition at a London gallery explores medium-as-social-actor presence phenomena and implications in what sounds like interesting ways. This story from Artnet News provides details; see the original version for pictures from three more of the installations, and follow the link at the bottom for more information. –Matthew] [Image: Blast Theory, Cat Royale (2023). Credit: Courtesy of RULER. Photo by Stephen Daly.] Moving Beyond Killer Robots, a New Show Explores How Artificial Intelligence Can Be Deployed to Care for Humans “AI: Who’s Looking After Me?” is on view at Science Gallery London. By Emily Steer July 4, 2023 Would…

[A startup company called Prisms VR is using virtual reality (and presence) to immerse students in realistic simulations of real-world environments to help them improve their skills in math and other STEM areas; as the founder of the company says, they’re “taking problems from textbooks and bringing them to life.” Details are in the story below from IEEE Spectrum (where the original version includes a second image), and much more information is available on the Prisms VR website.  –Matthew] [Image: Each of Prisms VR’s modules covers one topic within the relevant STEM subject. Based on what module is chosen, the…