Between Algorithms and Empathy: How AI and Virtual Worlds Shape Heritage and the Health of the Future
On Friday, April 17, 2026, an interdisciplinary webinar titled “Between Algorithms and Empathy: How AI and Virtual Worlds Shape Heritage and the Health of the Future” was organized by ASEF in collaboration with the AI Competence Centre (KCUI). The event highlighted how advanced technologies, such as extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI), transcend mere technical application to become essential tools for improving human quality of life.
Technology with a Human Face: VR in Isolation and Space
The webinar was opened by Dr. Kaja Antlej, a Senior Lecturer at Deakin University in Australia and an experienced ASEF mentor. In her lecture, she presented how virtual reality can assist people in extreme isolation – ranging from remote corners of Australia to astronauts in space. She emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary integration involving sensory science, psychology, and engineering. Furthermore, she showcased innovative examples such as 360° virtual cycling tours across the Karst region and the utilization of Indigenous First Nations knowledge in creating virtual nature to enhance well-being.
Digital Authenticity in Tourism
Jaka Godejša, an ASEF Fellow of the 2024 generation, explored the intersection of tradition and digital innovation. Based on his experiences from a research visit to Australia and his work with blockchain technology, he demonstrated that digitalization does not erase authenticity but rather enriches it. He described a pioneering project in Slovenia where guests booked a dinner reservation by purchasing an NFT. He also highlighted the development of AI chatbots that rely on verified data and do not “hallucinate,” which is crucial for building trust in modern tourism.
VR as a Therapeutic Tool in Intensive Care
The narrative of transferring technology into human practice was concluded with a presentation of the research work by Tjaša Šavorič, a doctoral student at Deakin and Coventry Universities and an ASEF Fellow of the 2021 generation. Tjaša’s achievements were presented by Dr. Kaja Antlej, her co-supervisor for her doctoral studies. The presentation took attendees into the clinical environments of the future, explaining how gamified, artistically designed VR experiences can help patients in intensive care overcome anxiety, stress, and disorientation.
The system incorporates advanced eye-tracking technology, which allows mobility-impaired users to interact with the virtual environment while providing important behavioral indicators of their attention. Generative artificial intelligence is already being used in the development process to create visual environments, and in the future, it will enable full content adaptation based on the preferences and condition of the individual patient. The project, rooted in the interdisciplinary connection of psychology, medicine, and design, has already received funding from the Epworth Foundation for extensive clinical testing in three Australian hospitals, running from January 2026.
This event is part of the educational content provided by the AI Competence Centre (Kompetenčni center za umetno inteligenco Slovenija).