Visual technologies have come a very long way in terms of being able to accurately simulate 3D environments and human appearance in controlled situations. The so-called “Uncanny Valley” has been centered around visual resemblance. With the rise of AI and the access to interactive tech, there is a new Uncanny Valley being created through human-like characters and interactions - where the focus is on narrative rather than visuals. This creates an opportunity to redefine how people engage and interact with machines, and with each other. This new paradigm will not only require new tools, like storyboarding in VR (Galatea) and emotion-driven music (Melodrive), but also new approaches to promote introspective interactions (Where Thoughts Go), and new methodologies for the performance and direction of this new theatrical medium (Fiona Rene).

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