Mark Zuckerberg: As the CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook), Zuckerberg is driving the vision of the metaverse – a collective virtual shared space. With initiatives like Horizon Workrooms, he’s emphasizing the future of work and social interactions in virtual spaces.
Brenda Laurel: A pioneer in virtual reality and interactive media, Laurel’s work in the ’80s and ’90s set the stage for many of today’s immersive experiences. Her writings and projects offer deep insights into human-computer interaction.
Timoni West: As Director of XR Research at Unity Technologies, West is instrumental in developing tools and frameworks for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences, making immersive content creation accessible to developers worldwide.
Nonny de la Peña: Often called the “Godmother of VR,” de la Peña’s work focuses on immersive journalism. Using VR, she places viewers directly into news stories, offering a first-person perspective on global events.
Kevin Kelly: Co-founder of Wired magazine, Kelly’s writings explore the future of AR, VR, and mixed reality. He delves into the societal and technological implications of fully immersive worlds.
Jessica Brillhart: As the founder of Vrai Pictures, Brillhart is an influential figure in VR filmmaking. Her projects and methodologies challenge traditional storytelling, using VR to create deeply engaging narratives.
Kent Bye: Host of the “Voices of VR” podcast, Bye offers one of the most comprehensive looks into the VR industry, interviewing a wide range of experts and providing insights into the evolving landscape of immersive experiences.
Dr. Jeremy Bailenson: Founding director of Stanford University’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab, Dr. Bailenson’s research examines the psychology of VR and its effects on human cognition, behavior, and social interactions.
Rikard Steiber: Formerly of HTC’s Viveport and Google‘s VR divisions, Steiber has been a driving force in bringing VR to the mainstream, emphasizing its potential in areas from education to entertainment.
Nina Salomons: A VR producer and the founder of VRWorldTech Magazine, Salomons frequently covers the latest trends, challenges, and breakthroughs in the world of immersive technologies.
