The text explores the transformative impact of virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse on human experiences. These technologies offer new ways of interaction and learning, revolutionizing sectors such as education, mental health, and entertainment. Immersion and controlled manipulation of the virtual environment are crucial in creating engaging experiences, supporting personal transformation. Presence in virtual environments plays a key role, inducing a feeling of being physically immersed. The therapeutic use of virtual reality shows promise for mental and neurological disorders, providing a safe space to confront fears and anxieties. However, constant development of standardized protocols is necessary to ensure personalized and effective therapies. Responsible use of immersive technologies is essential to avoid issues of excessive virtual identity and addiction. Interdisciplinary research and ethics will guide the future application of these technologies, opening new perspectives in understanding the human mind and enhancing overall well-being.
TopIn the landscape of emerging technologies, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have emerged as widely applicable fields, ranging from medicine and education to scientific research, entertainment, and socialization (Zambelli et al., 2023).
AR is a technology that overlays digital information onto the physical environment, enabling users to interact simultaneously with the real world and digital elements (López-Ojeda & Hurley, 2023; Petrigna & Musumeci, 2022). This technology provides a live view of an existing environment in which real-world objects are “augmented” or enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information (Walsh & Oakley, 2022). People can manipulate virtual objects while maintaining a transparent view of reality (Xiong et al., 2021). By integrating this information synergistically, AR aims to enrich the perception of the real world, facilitating interaction with digital content without compromising the connection with the surrounding physical reality (Chen et al., 2019).
On the other end of the technological spectrum, VR offers complete immersion in a computer-generated virtual environment, detached from the surrounding physical reality (Ford et al., 2023; López-Ojeda & Hurley, 2023). This human-computer interface allows users to experience a three-dimensional world, interacting with it in remarkably realistic ways (Tsamitros et al., 2023). VR presents a sophisticated online virtual reality, enriched by customizable avatars capable of communicating with other digital entities, moving, interacting, and manipulating objects, creating a fully immersive experience (Petrigna & Musumeci, 2022). Compared to AR, VR offers unprecedented control and manipulation of the environment, expanding the possibilities of digital interaction (Bell et al., 2020; Walsh & Oakley, 2022).
In a broader context, the concept of the metaverse emerges as a three-dimensional virtual dimension based on the Internet, where real individuals can explore, interact, and engage in various daily activities through avatars representing their real or imaginary identities. This virtual space represents a unique fusion of the real and virtual worlds, offering opportunities for social interaction, participation in cultural events, and a completely digital economic life (Petrigna & Musumeci, 2022). It is, therefore, a digital space where people can meet and interact in real time (Zambelli et al., 2023), a convergence between virtual reality and physical reality in a digital space (Usmani et al., 2022)
These emerging technologies have demonstrated revolutionary potential in various fields, from medicine, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, offering new perspectives and innovative approaches(Lan et al., 2023; López-Ojeda & Hurley, 2023), to education and training, as well as the world of work. However, alongside countless potential advantages and opportunities, some risks and challenges need careful consideration.