--- title: "News and insights: VR and AI training, research and press" description: "News and insights from People Tech Revolution: articles on VR and AI training, the peer-reviewed research our work appears in, and independent coverage of it." canonical: https://peopletechrevolution.com/news --- Newsroom # News and insights PTR writes about immersive training, AI and inclusion at work. This page also brings together the peer-reviewed research PTR projects appear in, and the independent coverage of that work. Inside the Mater build, room by room. Featured · Healthcare · August 2026 · 3 min read ## Immersive Change: The Rise of VR in Healthcare Workforce Training and Culture How hospitals are using VR to build workforce culture and psychological safety, drawing on PTR's own work with Mater Education and Mayo Clinic, plus a governance framework for hospitals considering VR and AI training. [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/immersive-change-vr-in-healthcare) ### What the hospitals measured Figures from the hospitals' own evaluations, each one linked to the report it comes from, and the kind of conversation the training puts people in. 93% of Mater participants enjoyed the experience and 96% wanted more VR based learning, as reported by Mater Education following its [program evaluation](https://peopletechrevolution.com/uploads/docs/people-tech-revolution-mater-immersive-learning-pilot-case-study.pdf). More than 1,100 nurse and social worker leaders took part at Mayo Clinic, documented in a peer reviewed [Journal of Nursing Administration paper](https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000001503). The article carries a governance checklist covering the Privacy Act in Australia and HIPAA in the United States. [Read the checklist](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/immersive-change-vr-in-healthcare). [Download the Mater case study PDF](https://peopletechrevolution.com/uploads/docs/people-tech-revolution-mater-immersive-learning-pilot-case-study.pdf) ## All articles Everything PTR has written, newest first. Pick the situation you are trying to train for and the list narrows to it. All (17) Healthcare (3) DEI and inclusion (5) Training and skills (3) AI and XR (5) Sustainability (1) Showing all 17 articles. DEI and inclusion · August 2026 · 5 min read ### [What the Google VR study actually found](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/what-the-google-vr-study-found) A published study of VR DEI training at Google, read closely: small samples, real enthusiasm, and why the authors built 25 minutes of debrief into every session. - CHI 2024 paper - DOI 10.1145/3613905.3637128 [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/what-the-google-vr-study-found) Healthcare · August 2026 · 3 min read ### [Immersive Change: The Rise of VR in Healthcare Workforce Training and Culture](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/immersive-change-vr-in-healthcare) How hospitals use VR to build workforce culture and psychological safety, plus a governance framework for VR and AI training. - Mater Education - Mayo Clinic JONA paper [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/immersive-change-vr-in-healthcare) AI and XR · April 2024 · 1 min read ### [Peek into PTR VR: Exploring the Virtual Landscape](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/peek-into-ptr-vr) YouTube playlists on diversity, inclusion and XR, including videos from PTR's own VR experiences. - PTR YouTube playlists - Updated Aug 2026 [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/peek-into-ptr-vr) AI and XR · March 2024 · 4 min read ### [Embracing XR and VR Horizons](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/embracing-xr-horizons) What Apple's headset launch meant for XR, and why it points to a new standard for immersive DEI training. - Macworld - CNBC - Updated Aug 2026 [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/embracing-xr-horizons) Training and skills · March 2024 · 2 min read ### [Collaborate Remotely with VR](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/collaborate-remotely-with-vr) How VR and AR are changing remote collaboration, from presence and accessibility to more inclusive virtual events. - PTR reporting - Updated Aug 2026 [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/collaborate-remotely-with-vr) Sustainability · March 2024 · 2 min read ### [VR Training: Revolutionising Education and Building a Sustainable Future](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/vr-education-sustainable-future) Why VR training can be a more sustainable alternative to travel-heavy, resource-heavy traditional training. - PTR reporting - Updated Aug 2026 [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/vr-education-sustainable-future) AI and XR · July 2024 · Photo essay ### [The PTR VR Library launches in Townsville, July 2024](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/ptr-vr-library-launch-townsville-2024) Photographs from the PTR VR Library's public launch at Smart Precinct NQ: the welcome, the talk, the panel and the first headset demos. - Smart Precinct NQ - 18 July 2024 [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/ptr-vr-library-launch-townsville-2024) ## Further back, and still asked about Older writing that readers still come back to: human skills, DEI programs, and the point where AI and virtual reality met. Training and skills · October 2023 · 4 min read ### [Revolutionise Human Skills Training Using Immersive VR Technology](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/revolutionise-human-skills-training) How immersive VR is changing human skills training, including PTR's Mater Education pilot and what PwC found more broadly. - PwC 2020 VR study - Mater Education pilot [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/revolutionise-human-skills-training) DEI and inclusion · October 2023 · 3 min read ### [How VR Training Can Boost DEI Efforts in Your Organisation](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/vr-training-dei) Why traditional DEI training falls short, and how VR makes DEI education more memorable and engaging. - PwC - Ebbinghaus forgetting curve - Updated Aug 2026 [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/vr-training-dei) AI and XR · September 2023 · 4 min read ### [How AI and VR Are Colliding to Create Change](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/how-ai-and-vr-are-colliding) Where AI and VR intersect today, and how an AI character inside VR could support professional skills practice. - PTR reporting - Updated Aug 2026 [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news/how-ai-and-vr-are-colliding) ## Written for other publications Pieces PTR wrote elsewhere, on food education, nursing leadership and gender equity in operational roles. Each one opens on the publisher's own site. Training and skills · July 2025 · Case study ### [Reimagining Food Education: How PTR & FoodStream Network Are Making Healthy Learning Delicious in NYC Schools](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/cook-it-food-education) How PTR and FoodStream Network use immersive experiences to make health and nutrition lessons more tangible for school students. - PTR case study [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/cook-it-food-education) Healthcare · June 2025 · Case study ### [Leading With Empathy: How VR Is Transforming Nursing Leadership and DEI Training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/mayo-clinic-a-day-in-a-lifetime) Why immersive practice can help nursing leaders engage with DEI situations beyond traditional training methods. - PTR case study [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/mayo-clinic-a-day-in-a-lifetime) DEI and inclusion · June 2025 · Case study ### [Driving Change: How Metro Trains Used VR to Tackle Gender Equity in Operational Roles](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/metro-trains-gender-equity) How Metro Trains used VR training to address gender equity in operational roles. - PTR case study [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/metro-trains-gender-equity) DEI and inclusion · June 2025 · Case study ### [Flying Towards Inclusion: How Etihad Used VR to Confront Bias and Strengthen Crew Culture](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/etihad-cabin-crew-inclusion) How Etihad Airways brought immersive VR into diversity and inclusion training for its crew. - PTR case study [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/etihad-cabin-crew-inclusion) ## Inside the builds themselves Longer pieces on how a scenario gets written, tested and delivered with the people who will be standing in it. AI and XR · May 2025 · Case study ### [Solving Human Problems with Immersive Training: Inside PTR's Custom VR Builds](https://peopletechrevolution.com/about/story) Inside PTR's approach to co-creating VR training for difficult workplace situations and skills practice. - PTR case study [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/about/story) DEI and inclusion · May 2025 · Case study ### [How Google Used VR to Bring Empathy into DEI Training - And What We Learned](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/google-vr-dei-training) What PTR learned while working with Google on VR training focused on DEI and perspective-taking. - PTR case study [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/google-vr-dei-training) Healthcare · May 2025 · Case study ### [How Mater Used VR to Boost Psychological Safety and Transform Staff Training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/mater-speaking-with-good-judgement) How PTR and Mater Education brought realistic VR practice into staff training for psychologically safe conversations. - PTR case study [Read the article →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/mater-speaking-with-good-judgement) ## Recognition Awards given to the Equal Reality titles in the PTR VR Library (Equal Reality is a subsidiary of People Tech Revolution), and to PTR's co-founder. Each row names the organisation that gave it, the year, and where it is published. ### Lifting Communities Award, finalist Women in Technology Queensland · 2024 Leonie Sanderson, PTR's co-founder, was named a finalist in the Lifting Communities category. Her finalist statement, published by WiT with the rest of the shortlist, describes the PTR VR experiences and how they are made. [The 2024 WiT Awards finalists (archived)](https://web.archive.org/web/20250116184525/https://wit.org.au/awards/2024-awards-finalists/) ### Cartier Women's Initiative, Top 10 Applicant, Regional Category Cartier Women's Initiative · 2024 Recognition for Leonie Sanderson as a Top 10 Applicant in the Regional Category. [Cartier Women's Initiative](https://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com/) ### JFFLABS Innovators to Watch JFFLABS · 2020 Equal Reality named among eleven innovators to watch, from more than 300 companies reviewed, for diversity and inclusion training in VR. [JFF's announcement, 22 January 2020](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/report-highlights-top-vr-innovators-for-corporate-trainers-to-watch-300990882.html) ### Learning Technology of the Year ILP · 2019 Awarded for VR diversity and inclusion training for Carlton United Brewing. [The Equal Reality titles in the PTR VR Library](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/ptr-vr-library/equal-reality-vr) ### Invention of the Year Technical.ly (Washington DC) · 2019 Awarded to Equal Reality's VR diversity training platform, addressing unconscious bias and equality. [Technical.ly's 2019 winners](https://technical.ly/diversity-equity-inclusion/winners-2019-technically-awards-reallist-engineers/) ### Learning Innovation of the Year, runner-up ILP · 2019 Runner-up recognition for VR diversity and inclusion training addressing unconscious bias and equality. [The Equal Reality titles in the PTR VR Library](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/ptr-vr-library/equal-reality-vr) > "I lead a team of passionate changemakers dedicated to creating immersive virtual reality experiences that foster better understanding and improved workplace culture. Built on lived experiences and a robust co-design approach, our VR reflects our core values: trust, community, creativity, and excellence." Leonie Sanderson From her finalist statement for the 2024 Lifting Communities Award. [Women in Technology Queensland, 2024 finalists (archived)](https://web.archive.org/web/20250116184525/https://wit.org.au/awards/2024-awards-finalists/) ## Watch Recordings from PTR events and partner conversations: the Townsville launch of the PTR VR Library, Rosie the in-headset guide, a short film on seeing a situation through someone else's eyes, and a build for the Accelerator for Enterprising Women. PTR VR Library Launch Event The Townsville launch, recorded on the night. October 2024. PTR VR Experience Guide Rosie Rosie, a guide you can question inside a VR experience. March 2024. PTR Immersive VR Demo Inside a PTR VR Library session, seen through the headset. October 2025. VR for educators and learners How educators use the Equal Reality titles in the library. October 2024. Walk a mile A short film on seeing a situation through someone else's eyes. October 2023. Archer's Lab VR Built for the Accelerator for Enterprising Women. December 2023. ## Peer-reviewed research Studies that PTR project work appears in. Each row carries the authors, the journal, the DOI and a link to the paper itself. ### Leveraging Virtual Reality to Enhance Diversity and Inclusion training at Google CHI 2024 · DOI 10.1145/3613905.3637128 Reports preliminary, self-reported feedback from Google employees who trialled a four-scenario VR DEI training. Bursztein, E., Brown, K., Sanderson, L., and Kelley, P. G. (2024). In Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA '24), May 11-16, 2024, Honolulu, HI, USA. [Read the summary →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence/vr-dei-training-google-chi-2024) · [Read the paper (PDF) →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/uploads/docs/people-tech-revolution-google-vr-inclusion-training-chi-2024.pdf) [Download the Google research paper PDF](https://peopletechrevolution.com/uploads/docs/people-tech-revolution-google-vr-inclusion-training-chi-2024.pdf) ### Promoting Nursing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Through Virtual Reality Learning JONA 2024 · DOI 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001503 The VR module People Tech Revolution built was offered to 1,149 eligible Mayo Clinic nurse and social worker leaders. Nelson, D. E., Burkhartzmeyer, H. L., Kiker, K. M., Simiele, K. C., Proulx, A. L., Arcand, L. L., Alcock, L. R., Frederick, R. K., Phelan, S., and Storsveen, A. S. (2024). The Journal of Nursing Administration (JONA), 54(11), 638-644. [Read the summary →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence/vr-nursing-leaders-mayo-clinic) · [Read the paper (DOI) →](https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000001503) ### A virtual reality intervention to increase interracial empathy and upstander behaviors in nursing leaders Social Science & Medicine 2025 · DOI 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117648 A controlled trial finding significant empathy and upstander gains, most still present 6 to 8 months later. Phelan, S. M., Burkhartzmeyer, H. L., Standen, E. C., Arcand, L. L., Kiker, K. M., Simiele, K. C., Proulx, A. L., Storsveen, A. S., Deng, Y., Foote, J. M., Kumbamu, A., Prakaashana, A. N., and Nelson, D. E. (2025). Social Science & Medicine, 366, 117648. [Read the summary →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence/vr-nursing-leaders-mayo-clinic) · [Read the paper (DOI) →](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117648) ## In the news Journals, government statements and event listings that name PTR’s work, newest first. Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research · 17 April 2025 [The use of virtual reality training to enhance empathy: software review](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44322-025-00034-z) By Iuliia Khukalenko and Daria Khanolainen A journal review of VR empathy software that names PTR’s soft-skills courses. Queensland XR Hub, from InnovationAus · 31 January 2025 [Extended Reality Tech is Going Off with a Boom](https://qldxrhub.com/news/extended-reality-tech-is-going-off-with-a-boom/) By Rhiannon Phillips, Emma Murtagh and Alanna Koh Mater staff rehearse hard conversations with a virtual patient. [The Mater case study](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/mater-speaking-with-good-judgement). Smart Precinct NQ · 18 July 2024 [Launching PTR Virtual Reality Immersive Library](https://events.humanitix.com/launching-ptr-virtual-reality-immersive-library) By Smart Precinct NQ The launch of [the PTR VR Library](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/ptr-vr-library), titles on inclusion and leadership. Newsreel · 25 March 2024 [Innovative ideas drive access to State funding](https://newsreel.com.au/article/business/innovative-ideas-drive-access-to-state-funding/) By Newsreel Lists the VR Library among the Ignite Ideas Fund recipients. Queensland Government · 22 March 2024 [Funding sparks ideas and ignites small Queensland businesses](https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/99950) By the Hon Leanne Linard, Minister for Science and Innovation The ministerial statement on the $95,000 Ignite Ideas Fund grant for the Library. ABC News · 2 June 2022 [Virtual reality is helping residents with COVID isolation in aged care centres across Queensland](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-02/qld-virtual-reality-aged-care-centres-covid/101112460) By Melanie Vujkovic Leonie Sanderson’s aged care VR toolkit, the work that led to PTR. Apia Good Life [Leaders of the ageing revolution](https://www.apia.com.au/apia-good-life/health-wellbeing/leaders-of-the-ageing-revolution.html) By Apia Good Life A profile of Leonie Sanderson and Simon Lowe. [Our story](https://peopletechrevolution.com/about/story). Innovatia [Queensland is a hub for extended reality tech](https://www.innovatia.au/queensland-is-a-hub-for-extended-reality-tech) By Innovatia How pitch days and events led PTR to Mater Education, its first Queensland client. Good Design Australia [Carked It! A Card Game About Life, Death and Beyond](https://good-design.org/projects/carked-it-a-card-game-about-life-death-and-beyond/) Designed by The Ageing Revolution, Good Death Impact Network and the Australian Centre for Social Innovation [Carked It!](https://peopletechrevolution.com/fast-builds/games/carked-it), listed in the Social Impact category. ## In the press Independent coverage that names PTR's work, from a Forbes feature to the state government's own account of the Mater project it co-funded. Forbes · 13 June 2025 [Inside The Leader's Mind: How VR Training Gets Below The Surface](https://www.forbes.com/sites/shaheenajanjuhajivrajeurope/2025/06/13/inside-the-leaders-mind-how-vr-training-gets-below-the-surface/) By Dr Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj Names PTR's work with Google, Etihad Airways, Mayo Clinic and Mater Education. Advance Queensland · 10 August 2023 [People Tech Revolution's virtual reality training package for Mater hospital](https://advance.qld.gov.au/innovation-in-queensland/innovation-stories/people-tech-revolutions-virtual-reality-training-package-for-mater-hospital) By the Queensland Government, Advance Queensland The state government's own account of the Mater project it co-funded. Queensland XR Hub · 3 May 2023 [Mater and People Tech Revolution VR Training Program, Case Study](https://qldxrhub.com/news/mater-people-tech-revolution-case-study/) By Queensland XR Hub An independent write-up of the Mater pilot. Smart Precinct NQ · 18 July 2024 [Immerse yourself in the future: transforming communication and leadership through VR](https://spnq.org/event/immerse-yourself-in-the-future-transforming-communication-and-leadership-through-vr/) By Smart Precinct NQ The public launch of PTR's VR Training Library. > "I would give all entrepreneurs, young and old, the same advice: You don't have to be a unicorn. Be a donkey instead!" Leonie Sanderson Co-founder, People Tech Revolution. [Startup Spotlight, Aerospace Xelerated, 2023](https://medium.com/aeroxelerated/spotlight-people-tech-revolution-62d11e4ae535) ## Grants, accelerators and the people behind them Public funding for the VR Library, and the Boeing-backed accelerator PTR joined in 2023. Each card links to the body that published it. Advance Queensland · 2024 [Ignite Ideas Fund, Round 11](https://advance.qld.gov.au/grants-and-programs/ignite-program/ignite-ideas-fund/recipients/round-11) By the Queensland Government, Advance Queensland A $95,000 grant for PTR's Immersive VR Library. Queensland Government Ignite Ideas Fund. Boeing · 16 January 2023 [Aerospace Xelerated announces the startups joining its fourth cohort](https://www.boeing-me.com/en/news/2023/aerospace-xelerated-announces-startups-joining-its-fourth-cohort) By Boeing, media release PTR was selected for cohort 4 of the Boeing-backed accelerator. Aerospace Xelerated, on Medium · 20 April 2023 [Startup Spotlight: People Tech Revolution](https://medium.com/aeroxelerated/spotlight-people-tech-revolution-62d11e4ae535) By Gianna Pinasco The accelerator's own profile of PTR and its founders. Leonie Sanderson and Simon Lowe, The Ageing Revolution. ## Before PTR Leonie Sanderson and Simon Lowe were designing with older Australians long before this company existed. The Ageing Revolution's card game won a 2024 Australian Good Design Award, and their 2017 Vivid Sydney session put the same method in front of a public audience. [Read Our Story →](https://peopletechrevolution.com/about/story) Read something here that raises a question for your own team? [Open the contact form](https://peopletechrevolution.com/news#contact) Ask our CEO Simon Lowe’s Digital Twin a question ## Related PTR work Where the stories on this page come from: the builds, the library, and the evidence behind them. [XR. Virtual, augmented and mixed reality builds, and the headsets they run on.](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr) [AI. Digital twins and roleplay practice that run on a phone, a laptop or a headset.](https://peopletechrevolution.com/ai) [Fast Builds. Web, mobile, games and event builds, scoped and shipped fast.](https://peopletechrevolution.com/fast-builds) [Case studies. Google, Etihad, Mayo Clinic, Mater and Metro Trains, project by project.](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies) [Research and evidence. The peer-reviewed studies and evaluations behind the work.](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/research-evidence) [The PTR VR Library. Ready-to-run titles on inclusion, delivered and facilitated.](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/ptr-vr-library) ### Where to go next The sectors PTR builds for, plain answers on the technology, and the two founders behind the company. [Industries. Healthcare, transport, mining, government, education and more.](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/industries) [Learn. Plain answers on VR, AR, MR and AI training.](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn) [Our Story. Leonie Sanderson and Simon Lowe, from The Ageing Revolution to PTR.](https://peopletechrevolution.com/about/story)