Explore frequently asked questions about Agog, learn more about immersive media, and how to partner with our team.
Agog is a philanthropic organization that brings together social-change agents, thinkers, and builders, helping them create new ways to learn, inspire, and collaborate through the use of immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality. Get more details by checking out our About page and reading our FAQs below.
At Agog, we believe immersive technologies like extended reality (XR) have the unique ability to connect us with the earth, each other, and ourselves. With these new tools, we can experience new worlds, take a walk in another’s shoes, and even live life as a different species. With XR, we can imagine a better tomorrow. Immersive experiences can create a shift in awareness about what is possible—helping us humans engage more viscerally with each other and the most pressing issues of our time.
As we explore the power of XR and other immersive media to shape a better future, we also have a responsibility to help shape the future of these emerging technologies. XR itself is still young and impressionable. Now is the time to influence the trajectory, culture, and accessibility of the next significant communications platform with voices and perspectives that have been historically underrepresented. By building communities, networks, and tools; establishing best practices; and helping to shape the ethics of this emerging field of technology, Agog can help XR evolve into a medium we can all be proud of.
As with any emerging technology, there isn’t just one way of referring to it. Overall, these early terms describe technologies that are experiential—that work with your senses to make you feel as if you are truly experiencing, in a visceral, full-body way, what you are actually encountering through a series of screens and/or haptic feedback. Here at Agog, we prefer the term immersive media to encompass this set of technologies.
Some use spatial computing as an umbrella term. Spatial computing uses the space around you as a kind of user interface; it uses artificial intelligence, camera sensors, and other computer-vision components to track environments, people, and objects, and bring physical and digital worlds together in 3D.
Extended reality (XR) encompasses virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR); people also use the phrase mixed reality (MR) when referring to a combination of these technologies.
To get more specific, virtual reality is a computer-generated simulation of a 3D environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way using special electronic equipment.
Augmented reality is a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world providing a composite view. Unlike with virtual reality, which creates a totally artificial environment, AR users experience a real-world environment with generated perceptual information overlaid on top of it.
In contrast to solo XR experiences, such as single-player games, social XR connects people in a simulated environment where they can meet, interact, and participate in shared activities or content. This also encompasses co-present XR, where multiple people in the same physical space are engaging in shared AR experiences, for example. It could also include asynchronous XR, where users interact with posts and content created by others.
Agog is currently working with the community and our advisors to develop a network of partners. At this time, Agog does not accept unsolicited requests. Stay in touch by subscribing to updates and following us on BlueSky, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Threads.
There are so many great ideas out there. At this time, Agog does not accept unsolicited proposals. Stay in touch by subscribing to updates and following us on BlueSky, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Threads.
Founded by Chip Giller and Wendy Schmidt, Agog brings together an impressive team of media experts, technologists, nonprofit leaders, storytellers, and more. Read about our leadership, advisors, and staff on the Agog team page.
