The Perfect Storm: The Convergence of VR, MR and AI

Written by Marc Demar

Something monumental is on the horizon, already in motion, and it promises to wash over us like an unstoppable flood. I speak of the convergence of VR (Virtual Reality), MR (Mixed Reality), and AI (Artificial Intelligence) technologies, heralding an era of spatial and parallel realities where our social, professional, and recreational landscapes will undergo transformations beyond our current comprehension. While we acknowledge the profound impact that the Internet, Social Media, and smartphones have had on our world over the past 25 or so years, the magnitude of this forthcoming technological wave will dwarf these advancements.

It’s essential to note that I’m not suggesting this convergence will inherently lead to a better or worse world. However, it will undeniably instigate change on a scale and at a pace unprecedented in human history. We find ourselves amidst extraordinary times, as the floodgates of radical transformation and unparalleled capabilities open before us.

Take AI and its transformative power in the creative and visual industries. It’s utilization in text to image and text to video generation leads to mind blowing results. In terms of quantity, in only 12 months, text-to-image algorithms generated over 150 billion images. It took humanity 150 years to create only 10% (15 billion) of that. This number alone demonstrates the incredible power of machine learning.

As text-to-video technology emerges, envisioning a world inundated with videos becomes increasingly plausible. Yet, there is nothing that suggests the surge will cease there; it lays the groundwork for the creation of spatial environments – digital realities fashioned from prompts.

Picture the ability to swiftly craft environments for any scenario using mere prompts, seamlessly immersing oneself in them with your Apple Vision Pro, Somnium VR1 (or VR2 or VR3), or whatever device. This convergence of VR, MR, and AI, is an amalgamation that promises to reshape the way we work, interact, and perceive the world around us. It offers humanity a means to surpass physical constraints, potentially rewiring our cognitive processes. While technology over the past quarter-century has initiated such shifts to some degree, the forthcoming technological wave promises to enact far more profound transformations.

Once more, it’s not a matter of categorizing as good or bad. Rather, it’s a qualified guess on how the world is poised for another technological revolution. This doesn’t imply that we should unquestioningly welcome every advancement. Instead, we should recognize the profound influence of these technologies and consider how we can steer their development in a direction that fosters people’s growth and well-being, rather than stifling it.

A future dominated by AI, VR, and MR may evoke dystopian sentiments. However, it’s common to envision a bleak future based on unfamiliarity or simply reject it due to personal preferences or perceived costs. Yet, this has never deterred innovators and pioneers from pushing boundaries. Take, for instance, the introduction of the first train, which instilled fear in many but marked a significant milestone in history.

The most effective approach involves actively engaging with emerging technology and providing insightful feedback on both its potential advantages and drawbacks. A prime example of this is Artur Sychov, the founder and CEO of Somnium Space, who incorporates the Apple Vision Pro into his daily routine as a productivity tool. His perspective holds greater value to me than those who are solely focused on price or current technical specifications, as he comprehends the sweeping changes already underway and how they will revolutionize the way we work and interact.

For me, #AppleVisionPro has become my daily driver for evening work.

Every day, in the evening when family goes to sleep I cannot wait to enter my #SpatialComputing cocoon and reply to all emails, work on some tables, presentations, listen to the music while catching up with… pic.twitter.com/XBf65sjrGX
— Artur Sychov ᯅ (@ASychov) February 22, 2024

Artur Sychov in his Apple Vision Pro spatial computing cocoon

Speaking of Somnium Space, I perceive it as positioning itself favorably within the VR, MR, and AI development landscape. While I acknowledge my potential bias as the editor of the Somnium Times, I genuinely believe they are at the forefront of integrating these technologies. They leverage VR, MR, and AI within their virtual ecosystem, which encompasses their decentralized virtual reality platform, forthcoming VR1 headset, and Somnium 3.0 upgrade that is coming soon. I anticipate the synergistic effects of these technologies to manifest in a way that will blow people away.

AI, headsets like the VR1, and Apple Vision Pro, platforms like Somnium Space; it’s the perfect storm taking shape. And in the coming years this storm will impact our lives in ways we cannot begin to grasp.

We are living in exciting times.

Marc Demar
A @somniumspace native, editor of the @somniumtimes, and believer in the future of decentralized, persistent, immersive VR. He’s also an avid traveler, trader and writer. His personal X account is @marcdemar1