Webinar: Exploring Immersive Technology in Agrifood: Extended Reality for Training and Education  

The Exploring Immersive Technology in Agrifood: Extended Reality for Training and Education webinar exemplified a collaborative effort between the Office of Innovation in FAO and colleagues at the International Training Centre of the ITC-ILO in Torino. Together, they embarked on a mission to uncover the transformative potential of immersive technologies within agriculture and beyond, drawing participants from diverse countries into engaging discussions with experts, amalgamating firsthand experiences from the field. 

Nicole Pallares Ferrer from ITC-ILO started the session with an overview of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and tangible user interfaces. This was followed by Vincent Martin, the director of the Office of Innovation, who emphasized the webinar's objectives, stressing the importance of partnerships in driving innovation and nurturing environments conducive to creativity and problem-solving. 

Subsequent discussions, steered by industry expert Lorenzo Cappannari, talked about the concept of the metaverse and the evolution of computing revolutions. Cappannari underscored the significance of focusing on mature stages of technology to yield tangible value and explored the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive technologies. 

The fourth speaker, Kat Bidstrup from Think Digital in Australia, offered insights into utilizing XR technology to address global agricultural challenges. She highlighted the success story of Big Digital Studios, an XR studio dedicated to agriculture. This initiative aimed to democratize immersive advisory services, fostering collaboration, open-source initiatives, and knowledge sharing to benefit the wider digital community.

She also exemplified the practical application of XR technologies by describing how veterinary students can first interact with virtual animals before engaging in field practice. This approach enhances safety protocols, particularly when handling large animals, by allowing students to gain experience and confidence in a controlled virtual environment before venturing into real-world scenarios.

A panel discussion in the webinar's final segment, moderated by Henry Burgesteden from FAO, highlighted the distinction between vision-driven initiatives and short-term projects, emphasizing the significance of incremental progress and creativity in nurturing innovation. Throughout the webinar, various topics emerged, spanning from technology accessibility to ethical considerations and practical applications for farmers. 

Ultimately, the webinar fueled enthusiasm for leveraging technology to make a significant impact in agriculture and beyond. In conclusion, it emphasized the importance of focusing on the impact and benefits of immersive technologies to promote widespread adoption and facilitate inclusive and sustainable digital innovation within the agricultural sector.