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2020 already feels like we are living in a virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) with the unprecedented arrival of COVID19. The change in the world's reality means combined technologies are rushing into focus at ground-breaking speed and not just in the gaming and entertainment industries where they have always been popular.

Insiders at Apple, Microsoft and Google say billions of pounds are being spent on the race to update AI/AR-supporting technology and they all want to be the first to make it the new normal. These blue chips companies are on track to Install it on 1.6 billion devices by the end of 2020. Virtual reality is recognised as a fully immersive computer-generated environment, where the user is transported into the applied science and can interact so successfully, that VR is being used as a tool in marketing, design and most importantly for education and training purposes. 

Commercial use of AI and VR beats the gaming and entertainment hands down

In my opinion, the most exciting use of this technology is the extended safety features offered to engineers, technicians and construction operatives. VR can reproduce dangerous working environments and simulate the use of expensive and possibly dangerous equipment, without damage to the employee or environment. At the same time, AR can be used to relay important information straight to the user about what is happening at that moment, right in front of them, saving time and money. AI can enhance security so this is definitely a win, win for any business.

Challenging times ahead, addressed by AI and VR head-on in healthcare and related industries. 

The combined use of extended reality and virtual reality has shown to be successful in the treatment of phobias, psychosis and related anxieties. Combining practical techniques such as the use of biosensors and monitors to track heart rates and signs of stress, with the use of  XR and VR to get a better understanding of how a patient reacts to a situation without ever leaving the hospital. This makes a diagnosis possible within the safety of the virtual clinic.

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Pundits say the events of 2020 will propel the use of AR/VR and AI in healthcare by a predicted 40%, with finance as a factor and the lasting effects of COVID19 on the economy coming into play, time is of the essence. Right now, healthcare professionals are using the developed software to alert surgeons to any risks or hazards they come across while in surgery or training. This, in turn, will change the face of everyday operations. The significance of this advance can't be overstated. 

Benefits of modern-day teaching and learning through the use of VR and AI

With thousands of children and young adults no longer at school or university, lessons are taught online every day, making VR/AR-based teaching a game-changer. Immersive VR means that pupils can engage with learning in a way they already understand, using their extensive knowledge of social media and ICT they already have. In the workplace, AR and AI brings a new meaning to on-the-job training and development, which as a by-product saves thousands of pounds in personnel training and development costs. 

Online teaching aids have been available for a while. They combine the use of VR for visual learners and AR training aids to reinforce the lesson with access to vital on the spot factual information. Pupils can experience first hand what it was like to be a serf in ancient Rome or a soldier in World War One. Personally, a tour of the National Gallery using AR to educate me on the work of the Renaissance painters is my idea of heaven.

Technology gets bigger but headsets get smaller! The gateway through 5G for XR/VR and AR  

XR has always struggled with the necessity for cumbersome headsets or awkward display units, needed for the powerful processing hardware. Apple among others is working on headsets that are "untethered". Meaning, no need for a direct connection to your PC but in the form of a 

A self-contained unit. A mobile headset fitted with extremely powerful processors, allowing freedom of movement in both the real and virtual worlds.

All of this is only possible with the latest superfast mobile 5G networks. 5G arrived in the UK in May 2019 but currently is only available in big cities such as London, Cardiff, Belfast and Leeds. Previously predicted to cover the entire UK by May 2020, it's predicted that the virus has set plans back to the end of 2020. Nevertheless, great gains are predicted inline with these dates within the delivery of data transfer, combining this technology with the cloud-based interface means streaming in real-time and not relying on home WIFI to deliver experiences. In line with these gains, AI security will be required to protect new technology. 

So, what does this mean to the everyday consumer? Do you remember back in the 1980s when the VCR was widely introduced? The big players like Sony or Panasonic were selling these devices for £1000, but less than ten years later you could buy one with better technology for about £400! Well, the same is true of XR and VR units. Apple and Microsoft hope to break into these markets with untethered headsets, offering high-end but affordable devices in time for when 2020 really starts!