Aaron Frank on the Real Promise and Risk of Immersive Tech

In this episode of Possible Futures, host Gary Bolles sits down with writer, researcher, and Singularity University expert Aaron Frank to explore a provocative question: What happens when our digital and physical realities blur—and which one will feel more real?

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From a childhood question about humanity’s technological acceleration to leading conversations on the future of spatial computing, Aaron takes us through the promises and pitfalls of immersive tech, virtual worlds, and digital twins. Together, they unpack:

• Why spatial computing is about more than just VR headsets
• What digital twins and 3D simulations mean for cities, training, and global sustainability
• The real-world impact of immersive learning—from Walmart to the NFL
• The dangers of data surveillance, hyper-commercialization, and forgetting our biological selves
• A surprisingly human vision of 2030—centered on connection, nature, and... ice hockey?

Whether you’re a technologist, a skeptic, or simply future-curious, this conversation will leave you questioning what’s real, what’s next, and what kind of world we actually want to build.