Michael Madary and Thomas Metzinger summarize problems and offer recommendations for the future of VR
Researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) in Germany have prepared a list of ethical concerns that might arise with the use of virtual reality (VR) by researchers and the general public. Along with this list, Dr. Michael Madary and Professor Thomas Metzinger have produced concrete recommendations for minimizing the risks. According to Madary and Metzinger in their article in Frontiers in Robotics and AI, additional focused research is urgently needed.
They are especially concerned about the possibility of unanticipated consequences for the psychological states and self-images of users who are able to inhabit a virtual environment almost as if it is the real world.
The technological capacity for generating virtual worlds from home computers will soon be widely available to the general public, as special head-mounted displays are brought to market that create the illusion of being immersed in virtual three-dimensional worlds. The opportunities for research, education, and entertainment using VR have been much discussed in the media, but Madary and Metzinger seek to raise awareness about the risks that accompany these opportunities – risks that have received far less attention so far.
Both philosophers have participated over the last several years in an EU project on “Virtual Embodiment and Robotic Re-Embodiment” (VERE) with a focus on illusions of embodiment, in which one has the feeling of owning and controlling a body that is not one’s own, such as an avatar in VR.
The fact that VR can create these strong illusions serves as a main reason why VR brings new risks. Madary and Metzinger refer to recent studies showing that immersion in VR can cause behavioral changes that last after subjects leave the virtual environment.
Importantly, VR creates a situation in which the user’s bodily appearance and visual environment is determined by the host of the virtual world. Such considerations raise the possibility that VR will create vast opportunities for psychological manipulation. “These studies suggest that VR poses risks that are novel, that go beyond the risks of traditional psychological experiments in isolated environments, and that go beyond the risks of existing media technology for the general public,” the authors write.
Participants in VR experiments showed strong emotional reactions in addition to behavioral changes, all of which could have an impact on their real lives.
Code of conduct for the ethical use of VR
Based on their analysis of the risks, both researchers from the Department of Philosophy at Mainz University offer concrete recommendations for the use of VR. For example, in experimental work developing new clinical applications, researchers should be careful not to create false hopes in patients. They should repeatedly remind them of the merely experimental nature of the research.
Madary and Metzinger also note that a code of ethical conduct, however important it may be, can never function as a substitute for ethical reasoning itself on the part of researchers. Out of concern for consumers of VR, they call for long-term studies into the psychological effects of immersion.
They see a special danger with particular content such as violence and pornography, where the advanced technology increases the risk of psychological trauma. Users should be clearly informed of these dangers, as well as risks of hallucinations, personality changes, and the powerful unconscious influence of advertising in VR.
Finally, Madary and Metzinger draw attention to the need for regulations regarding ownership and individuation of avatars, regulations that should also address concerns about surveillance and data protection.
Learn more: First code of conduct for the use of virtual reality established
The Latest on: Virtual reality issues
[google_news title=”” keyword=”virtual reality issues” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Virtual reality issues
- UNL program using virtual reality to enhance researchon May 9, 2024 at 5:16 pm
“Virtual reality is phenomenal for a few different things ... through those kinds of teams that is how we will be able to solve wicked enter connected problems in the world,” said Elliot. “It’s had a ...
- Dating.com Unveils Virtual Reality Feature That Enhances the Online Dating Experienceon May 9, 2024 at 6:00 am
Dating.com – part of Social Discovery Group, the company behind over 70 online dating sites – is introducing a new VR feature that makes it easier than ever to meet and connect with potential matches ...
- Virtual reality helping Louisville doctors perform safer surgerieson May 8, 2024 at 9:46 am
The ground-breaking technology allows surgeons to use virtual reality to practice on their patients before they're on the operating table.
- Virtual reality meets real needson May 8, 2024 at 5:53 am
Having seen the potential of the device, they entered into a partnership with its developers to best meet the needs of the transport and forwarding logistics (TFL) industry. Specifically, for training ...
- 7@four tries Virtual Reality at The VR Centeron May 7, 2024 at 5:50 pm
It’s a lot of fun,” says owner of The VR Center, Todd Flood. Who needs a big franchise when you’ve got local entertainment, from local talent, right here in our area?! Welcome to The VR Center in ...
- Virtual Reality Shows Promise in Treating Depressionon May 6, 2024 at 2:18 pm
Summary: A new study demonstrates the potential of virtual reality (VR) in treating major depressive disorder (MDD). Using extended reality-enhanced behavioral activation (XR-BA), researchers found ...
- Beyond therapy: Virtual reality shows promise in fighting depressionon May 6, 2024 at 6:50 am
(Toronto, May 6, 2024) A new study published in JMIR Mental Health sheds light on the promising role of virtual reality (VR) in treating major depressive disorder (MDD). Titled "Examining the Efficacy ...
- KNUST opens virtual reality studios for teaching and learningon May 3, 2024 at 11:25 pm
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has inaugurated Ghana’s first ever virtual reality (VR) studios designed to foster innovative ways of learning.
- Gujarat CEO Launches Virtual Reality-Based Election Metaverseon May 2, 2024 at 11:15 pm
(MENAFN- IANS) Ahmedabad, May 3 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer, P Bharti on Friday unveiled a Virtual Reality-based Election Metaverse aimed at educating and engaging first-time voters in the ...
- The Influence of Virtual Reality: NMSU’s VR Journeyon May 1, 2024 at 5:34 pm
New Mexico State University has pioneered a virtual reality setting in a variety of classrooms. Virtual Reality or VR courses have been offered to students for a couple of years, but the technology ...
via Bing News