Immersive technologies, once confined to labs and niche projects, are now stepping into daily life, especially in education and research. This shift isn’t due to a sudden leap in technology, but rather its newfound usability. The challenge now lies in adoption and integration into real-world workflows, moving the focus from mere novelty to practical application. A notable trend is the evolution of augmented reality and smart glasses, which are becoming more user-friendly and less obtrusive. These devices are transforming from consumer gadgets to essential interfaces, enabling hands-free access to information and collaboration. However, widespread adoption is still on the horizon, with ethical issues like biometric data and surveillance needing resolution. Generative AI is revolutionizing XR content creation, making it accessible to educators and researchers without extensive technical skills. This democratization opens up new educational possibilities but also raises concerns about intellectual property and quality assurance. AI-driven enhancements are making XR systems more personalized and adaptive, offering benefits like adaptive tutoring and virtual assistants. Yet, this also introduces dependency and challenges to user autonomy. The competition among tech giants for control over the XR ecosystem raises strategic concerns for institutions regarding platform lock-in and data control. Public investment is now stabilizing XR technology, pushing it from experimental to real-world applications in various sectors. The ultimate challenge is not the technology itself, but the organizational readiness to integrate it thoughtfully, aligning with values such as privacy and inclusivity. Immersive technologies are no longer about escaping reality but reshaping it responsibly.
Are immersive technologies becoming part of everyday life?
