Ethical Implications of Emerging Mixed Reality Technologies

Abstract

Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies are increasingly finding foothold in culture and society. As these technologies stake out an increasingly large space in areas like entertainment, work, health and communication, it is important that we are equipped to think lucidly about both their benefits and their drawbacks. This document presents a thematic review of the literature that focuses on the ‘ethics’ or ethical implications of virtual, augmented and mixed reality technologies. We cover both the perceived benefits to individuals and society, as well as associated risks and ambiguities. We survey research published in fields such as media studies, Human-Computer Interaction, philosophy of technology, and surveillance studies, as well as work published in the popular media. We outline areas pertaining to the ethics of AR and VR, broadly encompassed in the following categories: 1) ethical frameworks for VR and AR, 2) expectations of privacy in public space, 3) accessibility, inclusivity and exclusion, 3) surveillance and platform power, 4) the military entertainment complex, 5) empathy, and 6) work.