Virtual reality technology has been used in a court hearing in Colombia, marking a significant moment in its use for serious purposes.
The hearing saw lawyers don virtual headsets and participate as computer-generated avatars, and was streamed live on YouTube.
While some viewers felt that using virtual avatars was inappropriate, others praised the use of information technology to expedite judicial proceedings.
Virtual meetings and court hearings became more common in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and while the use of virtual reality technology has taken place elsewhere, Colombia’s use of Horizon Workrooms to conduct a virtual court hearing represents a landmark moment in its use.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has pledged to continue investing in virtual reality technology, despite losing significant money in Q4 2022.
The success of the virtual court hearing in Colombia suggests that virtual reality technology may have significant potential in the legal sector and beyond.
