Immersive Worlds – Cortney Harding on VR, AR, and the Metaverse

The Tech Humanist Show

Kate O’Neill is joined by Cortney Harding— a visionary leader in virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), founder, and CEO of Friends with Holograms. Together, they explore how immersive technologies are transforming human experiences and the innovative projects that Harding’s agency has spearheaded.

Cortney shares insights into Friends with Holograms’ award-winning work, including a groundbreaking VR training program for social workers that has gained widespread adoption across nearly 30 states. She discusses how continuous learning, artificial intelligence, and natural language processing play crucial roles in the development and iteration of VR/AR projects.

The conversation delves deep into the metaverse’s potential, avatars’ ethical considerations, and the necessity for robust governance and privacy measures. Harding underscores the importance of meeting users “where they are” in VR experiences to truly engage and impact them, while Kate challenges listeners to think about the future implications of these technologies in our daily lives.

Listeners will also hear about the power of anonymous avatars in promoting equal participation within organizational problem-solving exercises and the broader societal benefits of technological advancements like universal basic income.

This episode is filled with dynamic discussions on the future of AR/VR, insights into creating impactful digital experiences, and the chance for brands to think beyond physical replications in the digital world. It’s a must-listen for tech enthusiasts, industry professionals, and anyone curious about the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Join Kate and Cortney to explore the future of immersive experiences and their lasting impact on society.

Tune in for a compelling conversation on the forefront of virtual reality technology and its profound impact on society.

Guest Contact Information:

• Website:https://cortney-harding.com/
• X.com: @CortneyHarding
• LinkedIn: Cortney Harding

Topics Covered:

• Cortney harding and Friends with Holograms
• Continuous Learning and Iteration in VR/AR Projects:
• Meeting Users “Where They Are” in VR:
• Avatars and the Metaverse
• Fandoms and Celebrities in the Metaverse
• Trust and Governance in the Metaverse
• Insight on a Personalized Small Language Model (SLM) or Avatar
• Broad Implications and Support for Universal Basic Income
• Augmented and Extended Reality
• Future of AR/VR Technologies
• Opportunities for Brands in the Metaverse
• Digital Transformation Strategy
• Creating Successful Metaverse Experiences
• Advice for Aspiring VR/AR Practitioners
• Ethical and Global Considerations
  

Episode Chapters

00:00 Courtney Harding discusses VR and AR advancements.
06:18 VR as empathy machine: impactful but limited simulation.
07:40 Meeting people as themselves creates impactful experiences.
12:43 Transparency and governance critical for metaverse trust.
14:15 Ensuring safe, accountable spaces in the metaverse.
18:45 AR is the mega opportunity for future entertainment.
22:45 Start with purpose, not technology, for transformation.
27:05 Start with Spatial: build, invite, explore, learn.
29:07 Developing world positive; West negative towards technology.
30:39 Desires personal small language model for AI talk.
34:03 Avatars manage tasks, enhancing personal productivity.
37:11 Thanks for listening to the Tech Humanist Show.