Exploring Future Reality is NYC Media Lab's annual VR/AR innovation event, bringing together industry experts and faculty researchers for a full day of lightning talks and presentations. This year's event will include cutting-edge demos of virtual, augmented and mixed reality prototypes; hands-on workshops exploring the latest production tools; and pitches from fresh startups. Discussions will focus on the impact of VR/AR on the media and technology industry, including best practices for storytelling, prototyping, and distribution. With speakers from: Google, Unity, Time Inc, The Wall Street Journal, Viacom Next, Digitas, RYOT, betaworks, and more...

Learn more: http://nycmedialab.org/events

Contact: Alexis Avedisian, alexis@nycmedialab.org

MORNING SESSION: Industry-driven conversations

9:00am: The State of the Art: The technology and practice of creating virtual and augmented reality experience are moving at a rapid pace. What’s the state of the art, and what are the priorities for technologists and makers in 2018? With: Rori Duboff, Accenture Interactive; Steven Feiner, Columbia University; Ori Inbar, Super Ventures; Chaki Ng, Viacom Next; Ken Perlin, NYU Future Reality Lab

10:00: Audio + Voice. How are artists and designers incorporating the latest in sound design? With: David Al-Ibrahim, Designer & Producer; Terence Caulkins, Arup; Matt Hartman, betaworks; Agnieszka Roginska, NYU Steinhardt

11:00: Health & Wellness: A major opportunity area for virtual and augmented reality technologies is applications in health, medicine, and wellness. What are the key trends, hottest new ideas, and emerging best practices? With: Tereza Nemessanyi, Microsoft; Aaron Oliker, Biodigital; Jeremy Rowe, NYU X-Lab

11:30: Media, Entertainment & Gaming: The media industry is building teams, running experiments, and even beginning to make money with virtual and augmented reality. What’s next? With: Yasmin Elayat, Scatter; Chris Hercik, Time Inc; Roger Kenny, WSJ; Kyle Li, The New School; Adaora Udoji,Investor and Producer

12:00: Cities: How will virtual and augmented reality change the way we live and work in urban environments? With: Courtney Cogburn, Columbia University School of Social Work; Jeremy Goldberg, NYCx.

12:30: Advertising, Marketing & Commerce: How will augmented and virtual reality technologies change the way goods and services are developed, marketed and sold? What are emerging best practices and new trends worth following? With: Agatha Bochenek, Unity; Jessica Lauretti, RYOT; Matthieu Lorrain, Google; Can Misirlioglu, Havas; Keith Soljacich, Digitas

AFTERNOON SESSION: Demos, Workshops and Startups

1:00pm-5:00pm: Demo Expo. From corporate R&D to new prototypes emerging from NYC Media Lab's university consortium, the event's extended Demo Expo will allow guests to explore VR/AR/MR first hand. Demos range from premium VR storytelling experiences to AR solutions for industry.

2:00pm-5:00pm: Hands-on Workshops. Registered attendees will receive access to several interactive workshops focused on the latest VR/AR production tools. Guests will experiment with platforms like Unity, Apple ARKit, Google Blocks, and more.

2:00pm-3:00pm. A special session will bring pitches from established and emerging VR/AR/MR startups, highlighting the best of NYC-based entrepreneurship.

Participating Speakers...

David Al-Ibrahim, Designer and Producer
Agatha Bochenek, Unity
Terence Caulkins, Arup
Courtney Cogburn, Columbia University School of Social Work
Rori Duboff, Accenture Interactive
Yasmin Elayat, Scatter
Steven Feiner, Columbia University
Jeremy Goldberg, NYCx
Matt Hartman, betaworks
Chris Hercik, Time Inc
Ori Inbar, Super Ventures
Roger Kenny, WSJ
Jessica Lauretti, RYOT
Kyle Li, The New School
Matthieu Lorrain, Google
Can Misirlioglu, Havas
Tereza Nemessanyi, Microsoft
Chaki Ng, Viacom Next
Aaron Oliker, Biodigital
Ken Perlin, NYU Future Reality Lab
Agnieszka Roginska, NYU Steinhardt
Jeremy Rowe, NYU X-Lab
Keith Soljacich, Digitas
Adaora Udoji, Investor and Producer