Virtual Reality and Immersive Representation in Recent Refugee Narratives

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Documentary Film ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Modes Of Representation ◽  
Immersive Technology ◽  
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

Virtual reality (VR) offers an exciting new way to represent crises of forced migration. Like many new technologies, though, VR risks exacerbating the challenges that exist in more traditional modes of representation, particularly that of documentary film. This essay examines two VR projects that depict migrants attempting to cross borders: Carne y Arena (Virtually Present, Physically Invisible) by Alejandro González Iñárritu and We Wait, co-produced by Aardman Studios and the BBC. The two projects differ in technique but share many characteristics as they attempt to encourage empathy in the viewer through the use of immersive technology.

AI and Migration Management

2020 ◽  
pp. 768-787
Author(s):  
Petra Molnar
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Privacy Rights ◽  
International Regulation ◽  
Development Technology ◽  
And Migration ◽  
The Right

This chapter focuses on how technologies used in the management of migration—such as automated decision-making in immigration and refugee applications and artificial intelligence (AI) lie detectors—impinge on human rights with little international regulation, arguing that this lack of regulation is deliberate, as states single out the migrant population as a viable testing ground for new technologies. Making migrants more trackable and intelligible justifies the use of more technology and data collection under the guide of national security, or even under tropes of humanitarianism and development. Technology is not inherently democratic, and human rights impacts are particularly important to consider in humanitarian and forced migration contexts. An international human rights law framework is particularly useful for codifying and recognizing potential harms, because technology and its development are inherently global and transnational. Ultimately, more oversight and issue specific accountability mechanisms are needed to safeguard fundamental rights of migrants, such as freedom from discrimination, privacy rights, and procedural justice safeguards, such as the right to a fair decision maker and the rights of appeal.

scholarly journals Why a Virtual Assistant for Moral Enhancement When We Could have a Socrates?

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Lara
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Personal Autonomy ◽  
Moral Enhancement ◽  
Moral Decisions ◽  
Educational Methodology ◽  
Better Than

AbstractCan Artificial Intelligence (AI) be more effective than human instruction for the moral enhancement of people? The author argues that it only would be if the use of this technology were aimed at increasing the individual's capacity to reflectively decide for themselves, rather than at directly influencing behaviour. To support this, it is shown how a disregard for personal autonomy, in particular, invalidates the main proposals for applying new technologies, both biomedical and AI-based, to moral enhancement. As an alternative to these proposals, this article proposes a virtual assistant that, through dialogue, neutrality and virtual reality technologies, can teach users to make better moral decisions on their own. The author concludes that, as long as certain precautions are taken in its design, such an assistant could do this better than a human instructor adopting the same educational methodology.

scholarly journals Gamification and Hazard Communication in Virtual Reality: A Qualitative Study

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4663
Author(s):  
Janaina Cavalcanti ◽  
Victor Valls ◽  
Manuel Contero ◽  
David Fonseca
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Training Environment ◽  
Hazard Communication ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Compliance Behavior ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Recorded Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels

An effective warning attracts attention, elicits knowledge, and enables compliance behavior. Game mechanics, which are directly linked to human desires, stand out as training, evaluation, and improvement tools. Immersive virtual reality (VR) facilitates training without risk to participants, evaluates the impact of an incorrect action/decision, and creates a smart training environment. The present study analyzes the user experience in a gamified virtual environment of risks using the HTC Vive head-mounted display. The game was developed in the Unreal game engine and consisted of a walk-through maze composed of evident dangers and different signaling variables while user action data were recorded. To demonstrate which aspects provide better interaction, experience, perception and memory, three different warning configurations (dynamic, static and smart) and two different levels of danger (low and high) were presented. To properly assess the impact of the experience, we conducted a survey about personality and knowledge before and after using the game. We proceeded with the qualitative approach by using questions in a bipolar laddering assessment that was compared with the recorded data during the game. The findings indicate that when users are engaged in VR, they tend to test the consequences of their actions rather than maintaining safety. The results also reveal that textual signal variables are not accessed when users are faced with the stress factor of time. Progress is needed in implementing new technologies for warnings and advance notifications to improve the evaluation of human behavior in virtual environments of high-risk surroundings.

scholarly journals SURG-03. IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL REALITY APPLICATIONS IN NEUROSURGICAL ONCOLOGY

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii461-iii461
Author(s):  
Andrea Carai ◽  
Angela Mastronuzzi ◽  
Giovanna Stefania Colafati ◽  
Paul Voicu ◽  
Nicola Onorini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Real Time ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Spatial Relationship ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality ◽  
Global Improvement ◽  
3D Rendering ◽  
Before And After

Abstract Tridimensional (3D) rendering of volumetric neuroimaging is increasingly been used to assist surgical management of brain tumors. New technologies allowing immersive virtual reality (VR) visualization of obtained models offer the opportunity to appreciate neuroanatomical details and spatial relationship between the tumor and normal neuroanatomical structures to a level never seen before. We present our preliminary experience with the Surgical Theatre, a commercially available 3D VR system, in 60 consecutive neurosurgical oncology cases. 3D models were developed from volumetric CT scans and MR standard and advanced sequences. The system allows the loading of 6 different layers at the same time, with the possibility to modulate opacity and threshold in real time. Use of the 3D VR was used during preoperative planning allowing a better definition of surgical strategy. A tailored craniotomy and brain dissection can be simulated in advanced and precisely performed in the OR, connecting the system to intraoperative neuronavigation. Smaller blood vessels are generally not included in the 3D rendering, however, real-time intraoperative threshold modulation of the 3D model assisted in their identification improving surgical confidence and safety during the procedure. VR was also used offline, both before and after surgery, in the setting of case discussion within the neurosurgical team and during MDT discussion. Finally, 3D VR was used during informed consent, improving communication with families and young patients. 3D VR allows to tailor surgical strategies to the single patient, contributing to procedural safety and efficacy and to the global improvement of neurosurgical oncology care.

scholarly journals Foreign Language Learning Gamification Using Virtual Reality—A Systematic Review of Empirical Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 222
Author(s):  
Rafael Darque Pinto ◽  
Bruno Peixoto ◽  
Miguel Melo ◽  
Luciana Cabral ◽  
Maximino Bessa
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Traditional Approaches

Virtual reality has shown to have great potential as an educational tool when it comes to new learning methods. With the growth and dissemination of this technology, there is a massive opportunity for teachers to add this technology to their methods of teaching a second/foreign language, since students keep showing a growing interest in new technologies. This systematic review of empirical research aims at understanding whether the use of gaming strategies in virtual reality is beneficial for the learning of a second/foreign language or not. Results show that more than half of the articles proved that virtual reality technologies with gaming strategies can be used to learn a foreign language. It was also found that “learning” was the most evaluated dependent variable among the chosen records, augmented reality was the leading technology used, primary education and lower secondary was the most researched school stages, and the most used language to evaluate the use of gamified technology was by far the English language. Given the lack of directed investigation, it is recommended to use these technologies to support second language learning and not entirely replace traditional approaches. A research agenda is also proposed by the authors.

scholarly journals Sanctuary: documentary in virtual reality (VR)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivani Mulekar
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Documentary Film ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Emerging Technology ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Mural Paintings ◽  
Nonlinear Form ◽  
Documentary Filmmaking ◽  
Film Viewing ◽  
Viewing Experience

Sanctuary is a documentary film in virtual reality (VR). The film uses 360-camera technology to offer a sensory immersive viewing experience. The film attempts to transcend the borders of filmmaking by merging new 360-camera technology and a nonlinear form of storytelling. The film is an observational piece. 360-degree videos are an emerging technology, which offers the viewer a sensory, immersive experience in virtual reality. Influenced by the 360-panoramic mural paintings created in 1860s, the use of the 360-camera breaks away from the syntax of documentary filmmaking and gives the audience an active role in the film-viewing experience. It breaks the traditional semantics of filmmaking and sets new rules of viewing which are personal and unique to each viewer. Sanctuary documents the Juhasz family, which has been living in a church since November 2014. The film is an eight-minute experience that gives the audience a 360- degree glimpse into the Juhasz family’s life and their living conditions. The film is presented as an installation, using Samsung’s Gear VR as the exhibition technology.

scholarly journals Roma People in Virtual Reality

Politeja ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4(61)) ◽  
pp. 131-148
Author(s):  
Joanna Talewicz-Kwiatkowska
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Public Space ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cultural Changes ◽  
Negative Image ◽  
Roma People ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

Stereotypical perceptions of Roma people as those who like to walk along forest paths to camps, or stories about Gypsy fairies with crystal balls have nothing in common with such trendy and contemporary terms as new technologies. How can one imagine a stereotypical Roma who loves horses and campfires surfing the Internet? How do we discuss changes in men-women relations in the context of a patriarchal community in which women have no right to express their opinions and are literally captive? Undoubtedly, a lack of knowledge about Roma people, and with often the only alternative in the form of stereotypical information excludes them from the discussion on cultural changes related to technological development. At the same time media, including the Internet, are important not only in the context of activism of Roma leaders and organizations, but also with reference to people who want to fight against the negative image of Roma people in public space, regardless of membership or lack of membership in Roma organizations.

scholarly journals Exploring the Use of Immersive Technology in Education to Bring Abstract Theoretical Concepts to Life

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-80
Author(s):  
Ekerin Oluseye Michael ◽  
Heidi Tan Yeen-Ju ◽  
Neo Tse Kian
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Subject Matter ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Virtual Technology ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Immersive Technology

Over the years educators have adopted a variety of technologies in a bid to improve student engagement, interest and understanding of abstract topics taught in the classroom. There has been an increasing interest in immersive technology such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). The ability of VR to bring ideas to life in three dimensional spaces in a way that is easy for students to understand the subject matter makes it one of the important tools available today for education. A key feature of VR is the ability to provide multi-sensory visuals and virtual interaction to students wearing a Head Mounted Display thus providing students better learning experience and connection to the subject matter. Virtual Reality has been used for training purposes in the health sector, military, workplace training, gamification and exploration of sites and countless others. With the potential benefits of virtual technology in visualizing abstract concepts in a realistic virtual world, this paper presents a plan to study the use of situated cognition theory as a learning framework to develop an immersive VR application that would be used to train and prepare students studying Telecommunications Engineering for the workplace. This paper presents a review of literature in the area of Virtual Reality in education, offers insight into the motivation behind this research and the planned methodology in carrying out the research.

scholarly journals How New Technologies Can Improve Prediction, Assessment, and Intervention in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (e-OCD): Review

10.2196/11643 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. e11643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Ferreri ◽  
Alexis Bourla ◽  
Charles-Siegfried Peretti ◽  
Tomoyuki Segawa ◽  
Nemat Jaafari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
The Impact

Background New technologies are set to profoundly change the way we understand and manage psychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Developments in imaging and biomarkers, along with medical informatics, may well allow for better assessments and interventions in the future. Recent advances in the concept of digital phenotype, which involves using computerized measurement tools to capture the characteristics of a given psychiatric disorder, is one paradigmatic example. Objective The impact of new technologies on health professionals’ practice in OCD care remains to be determined. Recent developments could disrupt not just their clinical practices, but also their beliefs, ethics, and representations, even going so far as to question their professional culture. This study aimed to conduct an extensive review of new technologies in OCD. Methods We conducted the review by looking for titles in the PubMed database up to December 2017 that contained the following terms: [Obsessive] AND [Smartphone] OR [phone] OR [Internet] OR [Device] OR [Wearable] OR [Mobile] OR [Machine learning] OR [Artificial] OR [Biofeedback] OR [Neurofeedback] OR [Momentary] OR [Computerized] OR [Heart rate variability] OR [actigraphy] OR [actimetry] OR [digital] OR [virtual reality] OR [Tele] OR [video]. Results We analyzed 364 articles, of which 62 were included. Our review was divided into 3 parts: prediction, assessment (including diagnosis, screening, and monitoring), and intervention. Conclusions The review showed that the place of connected objects, machine learning, and remote monitoring has yet to be defined in OCD. Smartphone assessment apps and the Web Screening Questionnaire demonstrated good sensitivity and adequate specificity for detecting OCD symptoms when compared with a full-length structured clinical interview. The ecological momentary assessment procedure may also represent a worthy addition to the current suite of assessment tools. In the field of intervention, CBT supported by smartphone, internet, or computer may not be more effective than that delivered by a qualified practitioner, but it is easy to use, well accepted by patients, reproducible, and cost-effective. Finally, new technologies are enabling the development of new therapies, including biofeedback and virtual reality, which focus on the learning of coping skills. For them to be used, these tools must be properly explained and tailored to individual physician and patient profiles.

Shifting conceptions of Alejandro González Iñárritu: Interpreting the auteur

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Dolores Tierney
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Latin American ◽  
American Identity ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
American Cinema ◽  
Feature Films ◽  
Latin American Cinema ◽  
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

This introduction to a Special Issue of Studies in Spanish and Latin American Cinema charts the shift in Alejandro González Iñárritu's directorial persona from transnational auteur to mainstream figure over the course of his six feature films and virtual reality installation: Amores perros (2000), 21 Grams (2003), Babel (2006), Biutiful (2010), Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014), The Revenant (2015) and the installation Carne y arena (Virtually Present, Physically invisible) (2017). It argues that this shift into a (predominantly Anglo) mainstream is reflected in the different ways in which his last names (apellidos) are used, abbreviated or even excised altogether, and in the differing approaches to him as auteur employed by the authors of the different articles, but that Iñárritu’s persona and creative collaborators continue to be primarily determined by his Mexican and Latin American identity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document