How AI and Virtual Reality Will Change Entertainment: Wevr on the Future of Immersive Media

Anthony Batt and Neville Spiteri, co-founders of Wevr, join Thinking on Paper to discuss how artificial intelligence and virtual reality could change entertainment, communication and digital creativity.Wevr develops immersive experiences that combine interactive design, real-time computing and virtual environments. Drawing on careers spanning visual effects, gaming, VR and early internet platforms, Anthony and Neville explain what’s required to make digital experiences feel convincing rather than merely visual.A central concept is presence: the feeling of occupying and interacting with a virtual environment. As AI improves the responsiveness of digital characters, worlds and interfaces, immersive media could become more adaptive, social and personalised.In this episode, we discuss:How AI and virtual reality could transform entertainmentWhat immersive media may look like over the next three yearsWhy presence matters in virtual environmentsHow AI could change human perception and communicationThe technical challenges involved in building convincing virtual worldsHow intelligent digital characters could affect storytellingThe role of VR in learning, creativity and collaborationWhether immersive experiences can increase empathy and connectionHow entertainment may shift from passive viewing to active participationWhat creators need to understand about the future of spatial mediaAnthony and Neville also explain how advances in hardware, artificial intelligence and real-time rendering are bringing interactive digital experiences closer to mainstream use.This conversation examines how AI and VR could reshape the way media is created, experienced and shared, and whether immersive entertainment can produce forms of connection that conventional screens cannot.Please enjoy the show.--TIMESTAMPS(00:24) Craigslist(01:58) VFX Gaming & Unreal Game Engine(06:00) 3 Years In AI (09:32) What Will You Be Doing With AI In 3 Years?(13:47) Wevr: 10 Year In Emerging Technology(14:17) The True Immersive Experience(16:12) Collapsing Virtual Space(18:01) When You Are Not You(20:00) Shared Immersive Experience(20:33) Presence: The Missing Ingredient Of Virtual Worlds(24:27) Swimming With Whales In VR(28:47) If We Live 300 Years, Will You Be Bored?(31:30) The Cinematic Virtual Experience(37:13) Storytelling Machines(40:29) Virtual Brand World Building(45:35) Curiosity(48:02) Can I Be In Reservoir Dogs?(50:11) Harry Potter: VR Modes--Learn more:www.thinkingonpaper.xyzWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thinkingonpaper/videos