Virtual reality is an emerging technology that is attracting a lot of attention from multiple sectors- from entertainment-focused video games companies, established technology giants, to political institutions, such as the United Nations.
A few well-known companies who are currently involved are Facebook, who have partnered with virtual reality company Oculus VR, Google, Samsung, and Sony Playstation VR.
Virtual reality has the power to create empathic reactions in people who have otherwise become desensitized to the large volume of photographs and new stories depicting human suffering.
Virtual reality, through its immersive and interactive qualities, has the potential to counter feelings of moral fatigue and encourage viewer action.
The emergence of virtual reality as a tool of humanitarian efforts began roughly in January 2015, when the the 360 degrees film Clouds Over Sidra was shown at the Davos World Economic Forum. This connection between the technology of virtual reality to humanitarian and political institutions revealed the interest in technology that helped better represent typically mis-represented populations, such as refugees.
Who is Involved in Empathic Virtual Reality Experiences?
