Jessica Menold
- Associate Professor & Director of the Center for Immersive Experiences, Penn State University
Session
Immersive Technologies: Strategies for Digital Twins and Workforce Development
Immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality are often dismissed as premature or impractical—but that’s changing fast. This session challenges assumptions and explores how mixed reality, digital twins, and AI can close workforce gaps and preserve institutional knowledge. Through interactive storyboarding and real-world examples, attendees will rethink the role of immersive tech in workforce development.
Attendee Takeaways:
- Gain an overview of current VR/AR and mixed reality technologies
- Understand how immersive tech is already reshaping industries
- Identify and overcome mental models or biases limiting tech adoption
- Collaboratively design workforce solutions using immersive tech and digital twins
- Leave with shareable images/videos to continue collaborative brainstorming