Newhouse Impact Summit 2024

Human expression is tethered to and influenced by the tools available to us. From charcoal and berries on dark and cavernous walls to digital pencils and capacitive tablet computers, communication technologies exert profound impact over the form and content of the stories that we tell. The emergence of immersive storytelling technologies represents a profound-yet-burgeoning potential to enhance the veracity, artistry and impact of these stories. While some have argued that these technologies could serve as “empathy machines,” allowing for the simulation and presentation of wholly unique perspectives, others have demonstrated users’ struggle with the technologies, and that they might instead promote a sort-of identity that promotes false empathy.

To unpack these concerns and better understand immersive storytelling, we have organized the Newhouse Impact Summit 2024, “Advances and Opportunities in Immersive Storytelling Technologies.” This event will feature speakers from around the world presenting their innovative and provocative creative and scholarly work on the past, present and future of storytelling through extended reality technologies.

This year’s symposium will be hosted by the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications on Thursday, Aug. 1 and Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. The summit will run all day on Thursday (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and half of the day on Friday (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.). There is no cost to attend the event.