Evolution of culture in a virtualising world

Projects should contribute to all the following: 1. A deepened understanding, shared with researchers (including SSH), policy-makers and industry, of the long-term cultural impacts (benefits and risks) when citizens experience an increasing share of life events in virtual worlds, particularly regarding human wellbeing, European values, social cohesion and cultural/linguistic diversity. 2. Development and implementation of research- and knowledge-based measures with a long-term perspective that guide virtual-life developments to realise cultural opportunities and mitigate the most significant threats. 3. Significant contributions toward establishing Europe as a global leader in virtual worlds that enhance wellbeing, social cohesion and resilience, alongside competitiveness and growth.

• Focus on one or more life-event domains (work, entertainment, play, study, socialising, etc.) with the potential for decisive cultural impact, analysed in sufficient depth.
• Research both benefits and risks of life-virtualisation on perceptions, beliefs, behaviours, values, creativity, cultural production and access to culture.
• Base studies on rigorous long-term scenarios of technological feasibility and societal adoption.
• Identify and prioritise key opportunities and threats in relation to EU goals on wellbeing, sense of purpose, agency, social cohesion, resilience and economic growth.
• Develop measures (policies, guidelines, tools, business models) to realize cultural evolution opportunities in virtual/blended worlds and mitigate principal threats.
• Ensure findings and measures are valid and feasible across Europe’s cultural, linguistic and social diversity.
• Build on existing EU-funded activities, knowledge and networks; establish links to the future European Partnership on Virtual Worlds and relevant Horizon Europe projects.
• Adhere to definitions: ‘culture’ per UNESCO 2001; ‘virtual worlds’ per COM(2023)442.