Why a Delphi study on Virtual Humans and societal implications?
We are living in a time when technology is advancing so fast that new, once-unthinkable questions are becoming part of everyday discourse. What happens to a person’s digital self after death? Can a digital version of someone still “exist”? And, who owns it?
These fascinating questions are no longer confined to science fiction – they are central to a growing field of research on virtual humans. At BUas, we are exploring this topic through a Delphi study as part of the VHESPER project (Virtual Humans for Emotional Prosperity in the European Region), which aims to investigate the future of virtual humans and its implications for society. This study pools broad, multidisciplinary expertise across technical, psychological, ethical, legal, and societal domains. In doing so, it moves beyond fragmented disciplinary approaches and provides an integrative platform that unites technology, behaviour, and governance under one coordinated structure.
Aim of the Delphi study
The aim of this Delphi study is to explore the degree of expert consensus, map divergent perspectives, and identify key themes and unresolved issues. By structuring a pressing debate, the study enables experts to share insights, reflect on each other’s views, and collectively build a broader understanding of cross-sector expectations.
What is a Delphi study?
The Delphi method is a well-established research technique used to gather expert insights and build consensus on complex and emerging topics (Barrett & Heale, 2020). It involves multiple rounds of structured input from a panel of experts, allowing participants to reflect on their answers, refine them, and respond to others’ perspectives anonymously.
The Delphi method is particularly suited to identifying emerging trends and examining the ethical, social, and technological implications of future applications. As virtual humans remain an evolving technology, conventional research methods often lack the flexibility and longevity to capture nuanced expert judgments.
Advancing VHESPER’s Mission
This research advances VHESPER’s mission to position Europe as a global leader in the ethical development of virtual humans. It lays the groundwork for the European Virtual Humans Network, aimed at fostering cross-border collaboration and deepening our understanding of the societal implications of this emerging technology.
BUas, leading the VHESPER project, continues to play a central role in this conversation through its strengths in game technology, immersive media, and applied AI – fields that are driving the future of human–technology interaction.
The results will be published in academic journals, popular publications and a master thesis in due course – stay tuned.
Project leader: Nick van Apeldoorn
Junior researcher: Novela Peric