Ethical Implications of Virtual and Augmented Reality in Workspaces: Challenges and Opportunities to Promote Inclusion and Safety

Abstract

Contemporary workspaces are constantly evolving, and we have seen the emergence of remote and hybrid workspaces using virtual and augmented reality. With these advancements come many ethical considerations that need to be identified and addressed before these environments become more widespread. This includes issues concerning inclusion, access, and safety of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies in both virtual and in-person workplaces. Two research questions arise: (1) What are the ethical considerations and potential challenges associated with the use of VR and AR technologies in hybrid and virtual working environments? (2) How do these technologies impact inclusion, access, and the safety of shared content in hybrid and virtual workplaces? To answer these questions, our study systematically analyzes recent research on the ethical implications of VR and AR technologies in hybrid and virtual working environments. A total of 13 studies were identified based on specific inclusion criteria, such as the publication date and the presence of certain keywords in the title or text. While the research found some articles on the ethics of VR, AR, and the metaverse that briefly discuss work-specific dilemmas, we found scarcity of studies that focused specifically on ethics in VR, AR, and metaverse in the context of working environments. With this study we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of some of the challenges and opportunities that VR and AR technologies can offer to users of workspaces and offer recommendations for organizations to address these ethical dilemmas in the name of inclusion and safety.