Social AR: Reimagining and interrogating the role of augmented reality in face to face social interactions

Abstract

As augmented reality (AR) technologies become more pervasive, there is a growing interest in Social AR systems designed to support face to face interactions with collocated others. Prior research on AR often focuses on the technical aspects of the technology. However, at this early juncture, it is crucial to reflect and discuss the ethical, political, societal, and privacy implications of Social AR. This workshop aims to bring together industry practitioners and academic researchers to discuss the opportunities and challenges of social AR: from platforms to content creation, to self-representation. We aim to use a design fiction approach where workshop participants create speculative scenarios that interrogate the values imbued into Social AR. Based on these discussions, we will put together a set of initial recommendations for designers of Social AR technologies.