Public Values
Within CIIIC, public values are central. We aim for immersive experiences (IX) to not only drive innovation, but also contribute to people and society. The Public Values Guideline and Self-Assessment Tool help everyone working with IX to reflect on the impact of their work and make conscious choices.
Public values guideline
The Public Values Guideline is designed for everyone working with immersive experiences (IX), such as developers, designers, researchers, creators, and other stakeholders (IX professionals).
The guideline helps them reflect on ethical choices in IX projects and applications.
In line with previous research by the Rathenau Institute, the following seven values are central:
The seven core values
Privacy
Protecting user data and personal information in immersive environments where the boundaries between physical and digital blur.
Self-determination
Safeguarding autonomy and freedom of choice. Users keep control over their experience and their data.
Democracy
Supporting democratic principles and participation. IX should contribute to a well-informed society.
Health
Protecting physical and mental well-being, with attention to motion sickness, eye strain and psychological effects.
Safety
Preventing harm to users: both physical safety and protection against manipulation and deception.
Inclusivity, participation & non-discrimination
Equal access and non-discrimination. IX experiences should be accessible to everyone, regardless of disability.
Sustainability
Environmental and social responsibility, with awareness of the ecological footprint of IX technology.
Why this guideline?
Immersive experiences (IX) have a major impact on how we work, learn and live. They offer opportunities in sectors such as healthcare, education and the creative industries, but also bring risks. These include the use of personal data, behavioural influence and the spread of misinformation. The rapid development of AI makes these questions even more urgent. That is why it is important to include public values in the development of IX.
A learning instrument
The guideline and self-assessment tool are an initial version and are being further developed within CIIIC based on practical experience and new research. The aim is to better safeguard public values in a rapidly evolving field.
Application
The guideline and self-assessment tool are intended for everyone working with IX: creators, designers, researchers, education, businesses and public organisations. In some cases, such as artistic or satirical applications, different considerations may apply, provided they are properly justified.
Public Values Self-Assessment Tool
The Self-Assessment Tool was developed by PublicSpaces, Waag Futurelab, and the Rathenau Institute, commissioned by CIIIC.
The tool helps IX professionals reflect step by step on the impact of their project. It supports identifying risks, working transparently, and integrating public values into both design and implementation.
Take the public values self-assessment
Are you taking part in a CIIIC call? Work through the seven public values step by step in the online self-assessment.