About this Research Topic

Background

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with virtual reality (VR) and other immersive technologies marks a cutting-edge area of current research. The ability of AI to enhance the immersion and interactivity of virtual environments, fueled by the capabilities of advanced GPUs, is transforming how we produce and engage with synthetic data across multiple domains. The real-time computational prowess of modern processors facilitates the development of detailed and responsive 3D environments. AI accelerates the creation of 3D models and realistic textures, enabling rapid development and prototyping of scenarios, particularly useful in applications ranging from entertainment to intensive therapeutic contexts. This aids in overcoming typical barriers faced by individuals needing remote medical interventions, allowing them to participate in virtual therapeutic sessions effectively.

This Research Topic aims to investigate and refine AI-powered virtual applications that tackle significant challenges in education and rehabilitation. The scope involves developing sophisticated, generative AI models and interfaces that enhance user interaction and immersion. Such advancements are crucial in creating more dynamic and effective virtual scenarios that adapt to user needs and preferences, which is essential for enhancing the learning and recovery processes. By focusing on the integration of large language models and other generative technologies into VR, we aim to streamline the development of complex virtual environments, improve the generation of synthetic datasets, and enhance the overall user experience.

To gather further insights in these innovative applications, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Enhancing therapy and rehabilitation effectiveness through AI-driven VR solutions.
- Studying and analyzing the impact of AI technologies on cognitive and emotional engagement in immersive learning platforms.
- Integrating AI models to create multi-sensory immersive VR experiences by modulating tactile, visual, and auditory outputs.
- Analyzing how generative AI models can generate synthetic data in VR to speed up the object recognition pipeline.
- Studying the use of AI models to populate three-dimensional environments with content (meshes, textures, sounds, texts).
- Analyzing from a human–computer interaction perspective how to implement these technologies.
- Designing dynamic interfaces that adapt according to the users' behavior and their expertise in using the application, or that adapt according to their moods and emotions.
- Developing new methods of interaction with virtual scenarios that allow users greater expressiveness, control, and immersiveness, also with the aid of AI.

This structured approach to exploring AI in VR seeks to broaden applications not just in traditional domains but also in innovative new contexts where immersive technology can play a transformative role.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Registered Report
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLMs), GPT, virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), augmented reality (AR), synthetic dataset generation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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