AR and VR Technologies in Countering Terrorism and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies have the potential to become effective tools in global counter-terrorism (CT) and countering and preventing violent extremism (C/PVE) efforts, as they can complement real training scenarios (i.e. AR) or create new environments apart from the real world (i.e. VR) to enable a highly effective learning environment in a virtual world.

Raising awareness among all relevant actors on the applicability of AR/VR technologies in CT/PVE efforts; and establishing a collaborative and cooperative relationship between Member States, civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, think tanks and other relevant actors; are fundamental elements in implementing effective strategies to counter-terrorism and violent extremism.

Towards this end, this seminar will allow for an exchange of views, information, good practices and lessons learned whilst discussing challenges, opportunities, and the way forward on how this technology can be most effectively utilized in CT and P/CVE efforts.

The goal of the seminar is to engage with a variety of actors from governments, academia, think tanks and the private sector, to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and applicability of using AR/VR technologies in varying circumstances. While their potential use in countering and preventing terrorism and violent extremism is the main feature of this event, the seminar will also deal with broader ethical, legal, and technical issues, which underpin these technologies and may present challenges to their application.