15 Minute Futures

We've come a long way since the first primitive applications of virtual reality, which were 360 degree paintings of war scenes designed to immerse the viewer. And with Pokemon Go, augmented reality is now also starting to go mainstream. In the near future, it’s going to be impossible to tell the difference between virtual and actual reality, and it's going to be everywhere. This will create, no doubt, major new opportunities for work and pleasure. But are we ready for the hidden risks and ethical questions these new technologies? Will the surgeons, teachers and sports heroes of the future all be trained using virtual reality? Will augmented reality make us all smarter, funnier and more sexy, and connect us to each other, across the globe, in ever richer ways? Or will this new technology addict and enslave us like social media, but ultimately leave us feeling empty and more isolated than ever? We explore these questions and more in this episode of '15 minute futures'.