NextGenXR: Exploring AI Capabilities in Immersive Spaces

Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality are rapidly transforming how people interact with digital systems. AI is now used in everyday tools, from recommendations and content creation to complex decision support. XR technologies, including AR, VR, and MR, have become increasingly accessible due to advances in hardware and affordable head-mounted displays.

While both areas are well researched, their intersection within Human Computer Interaction is still emerging. Integrating AI driven agents into immersive environments raises new questions about interaction design, user experience and the role of intelligent systems as collaborators.

This project builds on the earlier XR Horizons collaboration and explores how AI can enhance XR experiences. We focus on user AI co creation in immersive spaces and on interaction with AI enabled agents in scenarios such as training and simulation. We examine how these systems can guide, support or adapt to users in real time, shaping engagement, learning, creativity and decision making.

We will develop and study a range of XR experiences that vary in visual fidelity, interaction modalities and forms of AI embodiment. User studies and group workshops will investigate how people experience, interpret and collaborate with AI agents in immersive settings. The project aims to inform the design and evaluation of AI enhanced XR systems for both individual and collaborative use.