Preface

Augmented and Virtual Reality (AVR) technology shapes the margins between the real world and the digital world. The boundary between the two worlds has become so porous that it nudges into more personalized and unique experiences across a range of industries like tourism, marketing, education, social media, construction, and so on. However, its more revolutionary impact would be to the extent where each one of us would be capable of transforming our real surroundings into digitally enhanced personal experiences with a very thin margin between the real and digital worlds. This is going to transform the whole business world and further revolutionize our surroundings i.e Society 5.0.

AR and VR are widely considered, so far, in the gaming and entertainment sectors. But looking at the Gartner report on strategic technology trends 2019, AR and VR technologies are among the top 10 trends and it has been experimented to enhance the productivity of various business domains like marketing, construction, power, education, tourism, telecommunication, automobiles, sports, etc. AR technology joins the information and simulated images in the real milieu to augment the users’ circumstantial perception of their settings, using some technology-equipped devices whereas VR technology replaces the users’ perception of their surroundings to complete virtual surroundings with the help of computers only. The augmentation might be the result of AR, VR or both AVR. Construction industries are using AVR to reduce the risks at working sites. AVR technologies are of extreme significance for the construction segments as the assembled setting is essentially connected to a 3D space and AEC professionals rely mainly on imagery for communication. Boeing’s aerospace giant has been using AVR for electricals. A very famous company of UPS is using AVR (AR & VR separately) to provide training for driver safety. However, AVR technologies have not yet been explored, or used to an extent that would make them more reliable for realistic business necessities. Technical limitations, lack of awareness, resistance to use and accept AVR as a substitute, high cost, and time obligation are some of the major challenges of bursting usage of AVR.

Irrespective of the AVR maturity level, there is a need to focus on the effectiveness of AVR technologies to enhance innovations, and sustainability in various business domains, particularly construction tasks, and for the targeted implementation of research. There is no book volume as of now that focuses on the entirety of AVR’s strengths, its reliable usage in business innovations and the challenges to be addressed by the researchers. The proposed book volume will address all these points with a more holistic approach, ranging from awareness to innovations and reliability to sustainability from a business perspective. More specifically, no edited volume exists that systematically maps (i) how AR and VR technologies can be used, (ii) their potential benefits, (iii) prevalent issues, and (iv) a futuristic innovation plan.

The book on AI innovations is organized as follows.

Chapter 1 throws light on the use of multi-agent systems which often operate in dynamic, open, and complicated settings. Two approaches to improving agent interactions are presented in this chapter. By using ontologies, the technique may allow agents to create “rich” interaction protocols using Petri net (CPN) based methodologies in order to allow agents to create dynamic protocols.

Chapter 2 describes the need for Artificial intelligence (AI) which has gained enormous usage in business in recent years. But the use of Artificial Intelligence is limited to a greater extent when it comes to measuring business ethics and morality. The chapter, conceptually formulates the implementation of AI in CSR programs by using AMOS 21's Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and SPSS 21 with empirical testing of projected models for AI efficient CSR practices.

Chapter 3 emphasizes how AI integrated with machine learning (ML) and Deep-learning (DL) techniques are used in various disease diagnosis domains, medication discovery, medical visualization, digital health records, and electro-medical equipment.

Chapter 4 discusses the method of combining information in the form of image alternatives with a software programme that stores knowledge with real images. Augmented and virtual reality (AVR) technologies aid in the explanation of concepts to improve academic learning through the use of two-dimensional media in education.

Chapter 5 discusses the role of VR in 3D reconstruction and visualization of crime situations such as criminal assaults, traffic accidents, and homicides by establishing a new method for criminal investigation.

Chapter 6 explains how rapid advances in artificial intelligence are enhancing the performance of many sectors and enterprises, including green supply chain management. It further analyzes the future outlook of the market for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in GSCM and green sustainability if they follow SDGs.

Chapter 7 discusses the use of information-driven systems to offer problem-specific knowledge to decision-makers using internet-based distributed platforms. An XML-based approach to representing and exchanging domain-specific information for informed decision support is shown in the chapter. The technology's implementation specifics, commercial ramifications, and future research goals are presented.

Chapter 8 portrays the importance of the farming sector which is considered to be the backbone of the Indian economy. The work emphasizes on the use of an automated watering system to reduce the farmer's manual involvement in the field at an effective cost by implementing an artificial intelligence system based on sensing, a control mechanism with required correction for the maximum yielding of irrigation.

Chapter 9 introduces AI as a useful aid to urban planning thereby creating a safer and more sustainable future for its citizens. Applications of AI in smart cities are then discussed, followed by a brief discussion on the prevailing best practices. Challenges in creating AI-enabled smart cities in India are also outlined in the chapter.

Chapter 10 portrays that Augmented Reality is the need of the hour for Human Resource Management in this era of globalization wherein the world has become flat and businesses have no boundaries. The chapter presents the evolution, applications, and challenges of VR and AR with respect to HRM.

Chapter 11 intends to explore how AI-enabled technology, in the fashion industry and fashion environment, is influencing the green economy status of the fashion industry, especially in the post-COVID-19 era of innovative e-commerce fashion.

The work given in the book will give some interesting insights to the readers.