Rapid Advancements in VR and AI: Understanding Opportunities and Necessary Boundaries

With David Christopher Lane, PhD

Previously, on our podcast, I interviewed Lane on his work with cults and gurus. In Part II, David Christopher Lane, PhD and I discussed his experiences with the worlds of Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and neuroscience. In addition to his engaging and in-depth experiences in consciousness studies, cult-mind communities, and concerns surrounding growing authoritarianism, Dr. Lane is also a Professor of Philosophy and Sociology at Mt. San Antonio College. He is an accomplished author of numerous books, audiobooks, and mini-films. In our last episode with him, we spoke in-depth about his book, The Making of a Spiritual Movement: The Untold Story of Paul Twitchell and Eckankar, the stories that led up to this, and many more of his writings.

In this episode of Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum, we talked about the growth of VR in different spaces, such as personal communication, education, and the potential assistance of those with profound disabilities. David noted that VR could give them options to live a more fulfilling reality as they select or desire. We also spoke on the concerns of a VR world, particularly mixed with a growing AI, and how this might open one up to authoritarian control or mind-altering realities that can allow for complex manipulations, some so subtle that they may not be easily noted.

Blending Advancing AI and VR for Good or Evil

We started with David describing how quickly AI is advancing alongside a rapidly developing VR product. “We are now conductors of information, even if we don’t know how to write very well, even if we don’t know anything about music, even if we don’t know anything about art, we can now create all sorts of amazing stuff,” he said. I noted that technology could be used for good or evil and that it is essential to have responsible, ethical guidelines for such tools. David agreed, “The bad actors using AI, just like the internet, allowed lots of people to have voices that probably should never have had voices.” He then mentioned how podcasters such as Joe Rogan broadcast a lot of messages that are “not credentialed, not great historians, believing in all sorts of weird stuff.”

We spoke about developmental psychology and ideas of mature self-knowledge, including values and beliefs that allow us to investigate and evolve our systems of consciousness and decision-making. David noted that in his critical thinking class, they discussed how one becomes a good critical thinker. “It is our ability and willingness to admit to being wrong or mistaken.” Now, just think of all the politicians we presently have. What ability does he have to confess to being wrong? What ability does he have to take criticism well? Instead, he disparages the questioner and makes personal attacks instead,” David said. I agreed and noted, “He’s reinforcing that he’s doing all this for you. So, he wants to merge their identities with his identity, that he’s the protector, and that he’s the big daddy.” We then discussed how this emotional manipulation could be a severe detriment or danger when paired with a world that relied heavily on VR or AI.

While David noted concerns about the dangerous lines brought up by technology and bad actors, he also stated that he sees a positive future for AI. “I think AI is so positive in the long run that we have to look at it progressively and not try to resist it, not try to block it, because if we do, we’re going to end up not well-curing cancer or helping people with heart disease because AI can come up with better solutions,” he said. I brought up my concerns about data privacy, the lack of regulations in the United States, and the loss of Intellectual Property (IP). David noted confidence in the forward movement of watermarking to help identify sources and content ownership. He discussed that AI would advance like other technologies over the decades, such as music streaming and photography.

Separating Hallucinations and Fantasy from Reality

“Our brain is a VR headset. That’s what it is. It renders incoming data streams to interpret different worlds,” David explained. He proposed that we already live in a symbolic universe, such as the trash can on a desktop being merely a symbol of an action taken on a computer. “VR is a much better model to explain what our brains do,” he continued.

I asked David about concerns individuals might have surrounding complex interference from Russians or foreign intelligence, noting a history of such events on technology. He recommended offline VR use for those particularly concerned with security or potentially exploring VR in safe settings, such as with family members. “Virtual reality is the antithesis of social media. Social media is a bunch of distractions. Virtual reality, you’re in its presence. That’s the number one selling point of VR. It’s the sense of presence, of being there and not distracted by other things,” David elaborated.

Who May Benefit Most from VR and AI Technologies

David recalled a student who had quadriplegia, offering him a chance to try something on VR that he might have enjoyed in his past life without full loss of limb function. The student noted that a roller coaster ride was missed, and this opportunity gave him the joy of experiencing different dimensions of consciousness, mixing with his reality as someone who may not otherwise have experienced the event. We then talked about different fictional themes that could someday become reality, like the experience of diving within any physical space. David also noted how VR can aid in personal or professional conversations and attentiveness. He proposed that it might eventually even be helpful in cases of ADHD.

Using VR and AI for Good

David expressed concerns over Elon Musk’s Grok AI, noting that the lack of guardrails may lead to psychoanalysis. This could be invasive, unethical, or dangerous at times. I said I found it interesting that there was a time when Musk was very vocal against AI, but now he is all in. I also find it interesting that Musk came in with Doge and hacked private computers to take off check logs, but ultimately, an IP was traced back to Russia.

We discussed ways to improve societal attention spans long enough for better discernment. David recommended audiobooks and even virtual reality holding one’s attention. “Virtual reality keeps your attention. That’s what I’ve noticed. It’s like it focuses your attention, unlike any other medium I like,” he said.

While we were wrapping up, I asked David about any opportunities for collaboration environments within VR, such as classes. He said there were and noted an attempt for collaboration in Meta Horizon Worlds. We also discussed cross-reality conversations between VR and standard voice chat through phones. We both agreed that continuing to stay current with knowledge about what VR and AI tools are available is an essential aspect of the conversation. It’s critical that all are aware of advancements in technology and how they might be used to influence you, your family, and societies at large.

Resources:

Neural Surfing: Consciousness Meditation and Mystical Manipulation in Spiritual Organizations with David Christopher Lane (Part 1 interview)

The Neuralsurfer Site

David Lane

Complete Catalog of Books, Audiobooks, and Films

David’s YouTube