As the reality of an evolving Internet becomes more mainstream, so does interest in the metaverse – a network of spaces where you can create a virtual world parallel to your physical one.
Just as the Internet revolutionized how we communicate, learn, play and do business, spatial computing, by way of the metaverse, is transforming those everyday interactions yet again.
Lethbridge College is bringing together some of the world’s leading voices on this computing revolution for NEXT: Beyond the Metaverse a free, virtual conference presented by Lethbridge College’s Spatial Technologies Applied Research & Training (START) centre on Feb. 17. Hosted on the Alt Space and Classy Live platforms, the conference connects the best virtual and augmented reality experts with industry and individuals alike.
Emceed by Kent Bye, producer of the Voices of VR Podcast, the full-day event features presentations by April Speight, Spatial Computing Technology team leader, Microsoft Cloud Advocacy; Matt Todd, historian for game design, Ubisoft Quebec City; Antonia Forster, senior technical specialist, Unity Technologies; and George Bloom, executive producer Visual Effects, Metaverse and Innovation Lab, CBS Television Studios. Join them as they explore the complex topic of the metaverse, where it’s at, where it’s headed and why it’s important.
“Lethbridge College is proud to be a leader when it comes to developments in the virtual world,” says Mike McCready, President’s Applied Research Chair in Virtual and Augmented Reality. “We are on the precipice of something big, and even if we didn’t know it at the time, we’ve been preparing for the metaverse by training the developers of tomorrow. It’s those developers who will contribute to content creation required to populate the metaverse.”
START connects Alberta-based organizations with researchers, students and graduates of Lethbridge College’s Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) and Architectural Animation Technology programs. Together, they apply VR/AR technology to help solve challenges in key sectors of the economy including agriculture, energy, architecture, health care, cultural heritage and emergency response.
With spatial computing becoming more mainstream, organizations are learning how to cut through the hype surrounding the technology to understand the potential impact of the metaverse and prepare for it.
“Metaverse technology has the ability to revolutionize the way we do business and interact, meaning the time is right for companies and individuals to understand not only what it is, but how it can be used to improve the way they operate,” says Dr. Kenny Corscadden, interim Vice President – Research and Partnerships. “As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Lethbridge College is proud to position ourselves as leaders and innovators in that space.”
For more information or to register for NEXT: Beyond the Metaverse, visit lethpolytech.ca/NEXT.
NEXT: Beyond the Metaverse is presented in partnership with Lethbridge College’s Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE), Alberta Innovates and the Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta (RINSA).
