1.4.4. Human factors of AR
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1.4.4. Human factors of AR
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Human factors of AR
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1.1Advanced AI1.2QuantumRevolution1.3UnconventionalComputing1.4AugmentedReality1.5CollectiveIntelligence2.1CognitiveEnhancement2.2HumanApplicationsof GeneticEngineering2.3HealthspanExtension2.4ConsciousnessAugmentation2.5Organoids2.6FutureTherapeutics3.1Decarbonisation3.2EarthSystemsModelling3.3FutureFoodSystems3.4SpaceResources3.5OceanStewardship3.6SolarRadiationModification3.7InfectiousDiseases4.1Science-basedDiplomacy4.2Advancesin ScienceDiplomacy4.3Foresight,Prediction,and FuturesLiteracy4.4Democracy-affirmingTechnologies5.1ComplexSystemsScience5.2Futureof Education5.3Future Economics,Trade andGlobalisation5.4The Scienceof theOrigins of Life5.5SyntheticBiology
1.1Advanced AI1.2QuantumRevolution1.3UnconventionalComputing1.4AugmentedReality1.5CollectiveIntelligence2.1CognitiveEnhancement2.2HumanApplicationsof GeneticEngineering2.3HealthspanExtension2.4ConsciousnessAugmentation2.5Organoids2.6FutureTherapeutics3.1Decarbonisation3.2EarthSystemsModelling3.3FutureFoodSystems3.4SpaceResources3.5OceanStewardship3.6SolarRadiationModification3.7InfectiousDiseases4.1Science-basedDiplomacy4.2Advancesin ScienceDiplomacy4.3Foresight,Prediction,and FuturesLiteracy4.4Democracy-affirmingTechnologies5.1ComplexSystemsScience5.2Futureof Education5.3Future Economics,Trade andGlobalisation5.4The Scienceof theOrigins of Life5.5SyntheticBiology

Sub-Field:

1.4.4Human factors of AR

    AR will lead to a blurring of the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds, which could have profound impacts on human psychology and social relations. The reality-distorting effects of social media are a harbinger of what could come, and phenomena like disinformation, echo chambers24 and body dysmorphia caused by image filters25 could all be turbocharged by AR technology. The personalisation of AR experiences could ultimately lead to a breakdown in the shared reality that is essential for the smooth functioning of societies. Extensive psychology, neuroscience and social science research will be required to understand how AR will impact humanity and pre-empt potential pitfalls. VR simulations of future AR scenarios could provide crucial insights.

    At the same time, AR will provide a powerful new tool to understand human perception and cognition.26 The ability to simultaneously control sensory stimuli and record physiological responses such as eye movement and skin conductance in real-world environments could provide unprecedented insights for physicians, psychologists and neuroscientists. Such advances could, for example, enable early disease diagnoses, accelerate rehabilitation of cognitive and neurological disorders and even help optimise everyday behaviours such as eating or sleep patterns.27

    Symbiosis between human and machine is the next phase, where complementary and improved working relationships between humans and machines will be strongly fostered. In this scenario, the boundary between physical and digital worlds will become wider and have larger overlaps.

    Future Horizons:

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    5-yearhorizon

    Research maps out social implications of AR

    Simple consumer AR devices that implement basic features like image filters prompt a major push to study their impact on human behaviour. More advanced commercial glasses become a crucial tool in studying perception and cognition. Immersive simulations of AR in VR help researchers begin to map out the social implications of the technology.

    10-yearhorizon

    Government regulation begins

    As AR becomes a consumer technology, concerns around its potential impact on society become more salient, forcing governments to start regulating the industry. AR glasses become a powerful medical tool that provide early warning of disease and help optimise healthy behaviours.

    25-yearhorizon

    Pervasive AR threatens shared reality

    AR is so pervasive that it becomes necessary to find ways to preserve a shared experience of reality in order to avoid compromising societal cohesion. The ability to create virtual experiences that are indistinguishable from reality makes it increasingly easy to manipulate people for commercial or political purposes, forcing governments to impose strict controls on AR platforms.

    Human factors of AR - Anticipation Scores

    How the experts see this field in terms of the expected time to maturity, transformational effect across science and industries, current state of awareness among stakeholders and its possible impact on people, society and the planet. See methodology for more information.

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