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Shaping the Next Generation of Virtual Worlds

JRC Science for Policy event

Save the date: Virtual worlds event

 

What are the next generation virtual worlds? Which challenges and opportunities do they bring in today’s world?

Next generation virtual worlds are a new paradigm largely growing due to the increase of ground-breaking technologies such as the internet of things, artificial intelligence and extended reality, and the transition to the Web 4.0.

This expansion is generating numerous opportunities while also presenting challenges in various areas. These two aspects are analysed in the first JRC report on Next Generation Virtual Worlds, published in July 2023, which provides a techno-economic analysis of the digital ecosystem, identifying current key players in different subdomains related to the topic.

On 8 November, we will present the results of this report and dive into the JRC’s new research perspectives on virtual worlds.

Addressing the next generation virtual world's challenges will require a common effort from public and private stakeholders, as well as the participation of the civil society.

The event will consist of two sections:

  • The plenary session will address the general implications and challenges of researching on virtual worlds, as well as the role of the JRC in doing science for policy.
  • The second part will consist on three parallel sessions focused on different areas of application of next generation virtual worlds.

Join our event on 8 November and be part of the discussion

The first part of the event (9:00-11:00) will be web streamed in the JRC Next Generation Virtual Worlds page.

  • digital transformation | artificial intelligence
  • Wednesday 8 November 2023, 09:30 - 12:00 (CET)
  • Online only

Programme

  1. 8 Nov 2023, 09:30 - 09:40 (CET)
    Opening of the plenary session

    Stephen Quest, Director-General of the Joint Research Centre 

  2. 09:40 - 10:00 (CET)
    Virtual Worlds fit for people: a strategy to steer the next technological transition

    Francesca Campolongo, Director of Digital Transformation and Data, Joint Research Centre

    Yvo Volman, Director of Data, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology

  3. 10:00 - 10:20 (CET)
    Keynote speech: Applications and Risks of Multi-Person Virtual Worlds

    Mel Slater, Distinguished Investigator of the University of Barcelona
    Mavi Sanchez Vives, Head of Systems Neuroscience, IDIBAPS, Barcelona 

    Co-founders of KIIN and Co-Directors of the Event Lab 

  4. 10:20 - 10:30 (CET)
    Facets of next generation virtual worlds: a multidisciplinary perspective

    Isabelle Hupont Torres, Joint Research Centre

  5. 10:30 - 10:40 (CET)
    Industrial applications emerging from next generation virtual worlds

    Cesare Dunker, Policy Officer, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs 

  6. 10:40 - 10:45 (CET)
    Closing of the first part of the event

    End of live streaming

  7. 11:00 - 12:00 (CET)
    Parallel sessions

    Three parallel sessions, under registration only

    • Opportunities and implications of Virtual Worlds for the public sector
      This session will explore: emerging practices in the use of virtual worlds by the public sector; accountability and responsibility of the public sector when it comes to virtual worlds and hybrid realities; and implications in terms of human centricity and inclusivity.
       
    • Immersive technology in education and training
      This session will explore the policy context for immersive technologies in education, recent research findings and also next steps for evidence based policy making.
       
    • Economic challenges from Next Generation Virtual Worlds
      This session will explore some of the upcoming economic challenges derived from the development of Virtual Worlds. In particular, it will discuss the expected industrial changes, from both the providers and users perspectives. We will explore what the role of the Governments should be to promote a dialogue with industries and raise awareness about these transformative technologies.

Practical information

When
Wednesday 8 November 2023, 09:30 - 12:00 (CET)
Where
Online only
Who should attend
Researchers, policymakers and partner DGs working on the topic, industry and public administration representatives
Languages
English

Contacts

General contact

Email
JRC-T1-COMMUNICATIONatec [dot] europa [dot] eu