Ethics and Social Impact in Immersive Experiences

Catalog description

Critically examines the ethical dimensions of immersive experience design, emerging technologies and AI through a project-based approach that integrates theory with hands-on application. Rather than focusing solely on theoretical discussions, students engage with real-world challenges in accessibility, sustainability, data ethics, AI bias, privacy, misinformation and social justice within immersive media, extended reality (XR) and interactive installations. Students apply ethical frameworks directly to immersive design projects, ensuring that their work is inclusive, responsible and socially conscious. Drawing from contemporary debates in technological ethics, students investigate issues such as algorithmic bias, power structures in digital culture, surveillance capitalism and speculative design for social change. Through a combination of case studies, critical design frameworks, structured debates and hands-on prototyping, students analyze and assess their own work through an ethical lens. Students develop immersive experiences that challenge dominant narratives in technology and explore alternative, ethically grounded futures. Emphasizes both critical inquiry and applied design, equipping students with the skills to navigate ethical decision making in immersive media and emerging technologies.