IEEE VR 2026 Tutorial

Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVAs), which embody an artificial intelligence (AI) in a humanoid representation, have enormous potential for immersive extended reality (XR) environments to enable natural and engaging human-AI interactions. With the rapid advancements in large language models (LLMs) and visual language model’s (VLMs) capabilities in simulating human-like text responses, interest in anthropomorphic embodied IVAs has grown across extended reality (XR) research and application domains. This tutorial provides a timely opportunity to learn the theories and frameworks needed to start XR research around embodied IVAs. It also offers discussions and networking with attendees who share similar research interests, helping to establish a community for long-term collaboration and exchange.

Agenda

1.) Introduction – Prof. Dr. Frank Steinicke

2.) Key Note – Dr. Susanne Schmidt

• The latest trends and topics in IVA research for XR

3.) Overview and Tutorial on Generative AI Technology for XR – Dr. Sebastian Rings

4.) Live Hands-On Tutorial: Building a Conversational Embodied IVA in XR – Dr. Ke Li &  Dr. Sebastian Rings

• Step-by-step demonstration of building you own IVA

• Hands-on experience with integration of AI models, character animation, and interaction design.

5.) Summary and Interactive Discussion – Dr. Kangsoo Kim