Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Virtual reality (VR) typically refers to computer technologies that use software to generate the realistic images, sounds and other sensations that replicate a real environment, and simulate a user's physical presence in this environment. VR can be defined as a realistic and immersive simulation of a three-dimensional environment, created using interactive software and hardware, and experienced or controlled by movement of the body or as an immersive, interactive experience generated by a computer. Virtual reality will arguably be the future of gaming and that is a concern for some people. But there’s no denying the incredible opportunities businesses will have to adopt the technology in several industries including healthcare, advertising, journalism and more. However, a generational gap seems to be forming between older and younger folks over what this new medium will do. Concerns have already been discussed in the past about rock and roll music, comic books, movies, video games, and virtual reality syst