IMCL 2026 ViWAS Article

On 13^th November 2026, I presented a paper entitled “Building a European Skills Ecosystem for Virtual Worlds: The Virtual Worlds Skills Academy (ViWAS)” at the 17th International Conference on Intelligent Multimodal Communication and Learning Technologies (IMCL 2026), held in Athens, Greece. The presentation focused on the EU-funded ViWAS initiative, which aims to address emerging skills gaps in Virtual Worlds, Extended Reality (XR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Web 4.0 through a collaborative network spanning 16 European countries.

The presentation highlighted the proposed ViWAS framework, focusing on digital skills development, competence standards, innovative curricula, micro-credentials, and accessible learning opportunities. Emphasis was placed on immersive training applications in aviation maintenance, language learning, and creative industries. By connecting education, research, and industry, ViWAS aims to strengthen Europe's digital workforce and support innovation in emerging immersive technologies.

More information:

https://www.imcl-conference.org/current/conference.php

ViWAS at NEM Summit 2026 - Capacity Building in Media

On the 3^rd of November 2026 (between 11:30–12:30), I participated in the 17^th NEM Summit 2026, held in Valencia, Spain, as part of the panel discussion “Capacity-building in media: XR, AI, and new training needs for media professionals”. The discussion focused on the transformation of the media industry through Artificial Intelligence (AI), Extended Reality (XR), and virtual worlds, highlighting the growing need for technical, creative, interdisciplinary, and ethical competencies. I presented the main objectives of the ViWAS project, a four-year initiative co-funded by the Digital Europe Programme, bringing together 39 beneficiary and associated partners from 16 European countries to establish a sustainable European skills ecosystem for immersive technologies.

I emphasised the importance of reskilling and upskilling media professionals through innovative training approaches, including immersive learning environments, AI-supported educational tools, and collaborative virtual spaces. I highlighted how ViWAS aims to address existing skills gaps by developing a European Competence and Qualifications Framework, flexible training programmes, and Teach-the-Teacher activities targeting 300 instructors. The discussion also addressed challenges related to accessibility, standardisation, educational effectiveness, and collaboration between academia, industry, and society. A key message was that XR is not only a technology that professionals need to learn, but also a powerful tool for transforming how they learn, enabling more interactive, practical, and inclusive educational experiences.

More information:

https://www.euroxr.org/conference-2026/program-overview

Adaptive-Focus Displays Enhance Interaction in XR

Researchers from the Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan, collaborating with international partners, have demonstrated that adaptive-focus (varifocal) displays can significantly improve interaction performance in AR and VR. Conventional AR and VR headsets typically present virtual objects at a fixed focal distance, creating a mismatch between eye convergence and focusing, known as the vergence-accommodation conflict (VAC). To address this limitation, the researchers developed a varifocal AR display that dynamically adjusts its focal distance to match the perceived depth of virtual objects. In experiments involving 3D pointing tasks, participants using the adaptive-focus display demonstrated significantly faster movements and improved interaction efficiency without compromising accuracy.

The research involved an initial study with 24 participants and a second evaluation with 12 additional participants. Results suggest that adaptive-focus technology could enable more natural and efficient interactions with virtual objects, particularly during movements involving changes in depth. However, improvements varied across individuals, highlighting the importance of considering differences in visual perception when designing immersive systems. The researchers also acknowledged limitations, including the prototype's restricted field of view and lack of eye-tracking capabilities. Future research will focus on understanding individual differences and developing personalized adaptive-focus displays, potentially paving the way for more effective and intuitive AR and VR experiences.

More information:

https://techxplore.com/news/2026-11-focus-displays-virtual-augmented-reality.html

Augmented Reality Enhances Customer Engagement in Fashion Retail

A new study, involving 865 Chinese consumers, reveals that AR technologies significantly enhance customer engagement in online fashion retail by creating immersive shopping experiences. Researchers examined four key AR features: realism, interactivity, personalization, and usability. They found that all positively influences psychological immersion. This heightened immersion encourages customers to advocate for brands through recommendations and actively participate in co-creation activities, such as providing feedback and contributing ideas. Interestingly, psychological immersion did not significantly influence basic shopping participation, suggesting that immersive AR experiences are particularly effective in fostering deeper emotional connections and brand loyalty rather than simply encouraging routine shopping interactions.

The findings highlight the importance of designing AR shopping experiences that prioritize realistic visualizations, personalized interactions, and engaging features to strengthen customer relationships. The study also identified differences in consumer motivations, showing that risk-averse shoppers are less likely to translate immersion into creative engagement, while highly promotion-focused consumers may respond less positively to immersive experiences in certain contexts. For fashion retailers, the research suggests that AR should be viewed not merely as a product visualization tool but as a strategic technology for encouraging brand advocacy, customer creativity, and long-term engagement. However, the researchers acknowledge limitations related to the study's reliance on self-reported survey data and its focus on young Chinese consumers.

More information:

https://bioengineer.org/augmented-reality-in-fashion-retail-boosts-brand-advocacy-and-co-creation-through-psychological-immersion-chinese-survey-finds/

Remote Transmission of Smells

Researchers from Ohio State University have developed Scentronic, an innovative digital scent technology capable of detecting and recreating aromas remotely through the internet. The system combines an electronic nose equipped with chemical sensors and artificial intelligence to identify specific smells, such as coffee, oranges, cake, beer, and red wine. Once identified, the scent information is transmitted digitally to a remote device that releases corresponding fragrances. Researchers have developed compact scent generators in wearable formats, including wristbands and necklaces, potentially introducing smell as a new dimension of digital communication alongside sight and sound.

The technology could significantly enhance XR, online shopping, and remote social interactions by enabling users to experience scents associated with virtual environments, products, or distant locations. However, Scentronic remains an experimental prototype with several limitations, including its ability to recognize only five predefined aromas and the challenge of accurately reproducing complex smells. Further research is needed to expand its scent library, improve recognition accuracy, miniaturize devices, and address safety and manufacturing considerations. Despite these challenges, the development represents a promising step toward more immersive, multisensory digital experiences.

More information:

https://thearabweekly.com/new-digital-scent-technology-can-detect-and-transmit-aromas-remotely

Seven-Minute VR Experience Reduces Student Stress and Exam Anxiety

A new study from City St George’s, University of London, demonstrates that a seven-minute VR intervention can significantly reduce stress and exam anxiety among students. Researchers recruited 131 healthcare students and randomly assigned them to experience a relaxation programme either through VR headsets or smartphones over five consecutive days. The programme combined breathing exercises, visualisation, positive coping strategies, and immersive audiovisual environments. Although both groups experienced improvements, VR participants reported significantly greater reductions in stress and anxiety, alongside increased calmness and happiness. These benefits also included lower perceived stress levels at a two-week follow-up.

The findings highlight VR's potential as an accessible and effective tool for supporting student mental health. Notably, 89% of VR participants reported meaningful emotional benefits, compared with just 34% of smartphone users. Students described feeling more focused, confident, and capable of managing academic pressures, with some reporting improved sleep and productivity. Researchers suggest that short, immersive VR sessions could be integrated into educational well-being programmes, providing students with practical stress-management strategies before anxiety becomes overwhelming. The study demonstrates the promising role of immersive technologies in promoting psychological well-being and academic resilience.

More information:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/seven-minute-virtual-reality-intervention-helps-students-tackle-stress-and-exam-anxiety/ar-AA2fGgdF

Gene Therapy and Special Goggles Restore Limited Vision in Blind Patients

Scientists have developed an experimental treatment combining gene therapy with specialised goggles to restore limited vision in people affected by retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disease that progressively destroys the retina’s light-sensitive cells. The treatment uses optogenetics, a technique that introduces a light-sensitive protein called ChrimsonR into retinal ganglion cells, enabling them to respond to light. Special goggles capture visual information and convert it into pulses of amber light that stimulate these modified cells, allowing visual signals to reach the brain. In a study, seven of ten participants experienced improved light sensitivity, demonstrating the potential of this approach to partially restore sight.

The results represent a promising advance in treating inherited blindness. Four of eight participants who completed behavioural testing could perform basic visual tasks, such as locating doorways or following lines, while wearing the goggles. However, the restored vision remains limited, with participants unable to recognise faces or read text. The treatment also requires an intact optic nerve to transmit visual information to the brain, restricting its suitability for certain forms of blindness. Despite these limitations, researchers consider the findings an important proof of concept and hope that further improvements will enable more sophisticated visual abilities.

More information:

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cells-detect-light-blind-vision

Brain Implants Offer New Hope for Restoring Speech

Scientists are developing brain implants that help people who have lost their ability to speak due to conditions such as ALS, Parkinson’s disease, strokes and brain injuries. BCIs, detect electrical signals from the brain and use artificial intelligence to translate them into words or speech. One remarkable example is an ALS patient who received brain implants in 2023. Technology has allowed him to communicate nearly two million words, reconnect with his family and participate in everyday conversations. Researchers are also developing systems that can produce speech almost instantly, bringing them closer to restoring natural communication.

Despite these breakthroughs, technology remains experimental and faces challenges, including high costs, invasive surgery, limited portability and occasional inaccuracies in translating brain signals. Scientists are working on smaller wireless implants and more advanced AI systems that could reproduce natural speech patterns, emotions and gestures. Although widespread availability is not guaranteed, researchers believe these innovations could dramatically improve the quality of life for people with severe speech impairments, restoring not only their ability to communicate but also their independence and personal connections.

More information:

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/brain-implants-restore-voices-injuries