Monica Arés, a trailblazing technology innovator from Burlingame, California, embodies the true essence of the future of women in emerging technology. Through her revolutionary initiatives, Monica pushes the boundaries of traditional learning, redefining the scope of education, and sketches the blueprint for the global academic environment of the future.
The Convergence of AI and XR in Learning
Monica’s current work revolves around the synergistic intersection of AI and XR. “The convergence of these technologies will help us build new tools to help solve some of the industry’s most pressing challenges: engagement, retention, personalization, and assessment,” she says. The magnitude of her projects cannot be understated; her vision for the future of learning is expansive and transformative. Her mission? “To increase access to education and transform how we learn through emerging technologies and innovation. I believe in the power of adaptive, experiential learning, where learners can explore, experiment, and learn through discovery with AI powered tutors and mentors. I’m looking to harness the power of these technologies to transform the landscape of education, making it more immersive, engaging, and tailored to individual needs.”
Humans alone, we are limited, which is why she believes “It’s the triad of human, machine, and AI that holds the key to solving problems that were previously beyond our reach”.
Harnessing Emerging Tech for a Broad Impact
Her initiatives go beyond merely incorporating cutting-edge technologies into education. It’s about the ethos of transformation and the overarching aim to make learning more accessible and efficient for everyone. She sees the immense potential in tools like AI, EEG and XR. “We’re using generative AI to streamline content creation and assessment. By using AI, we’re breaking down these barriers and personalizing education to individual needs,” she shares.
She introduces the concept of a “tribrid” model, where learners navigate seamlessly between in-person, online, and simulated experiences. “Right now, we have a problem with engagement, retention, and interactivity,” she says. By leveraging technology’s capabilities, she aims to solve these challenges and “move the education industry” into a realm of unprecedented immersive learning experiences. “It’s the convergence of AI and XR that will supercharge our solutions and tools,” Monica claims.
When asked who will directly benefit from her innovations, Monica reveals: “Learners at all levels will benefit from a more engaging, personalized, and accessible learning environment.” She seeks to “foster curiosity, creativity, and connectivity” across diverse educational sectors, laying the foundation for a lifelong learning culture.
The Moonwalk Experience: A Step into Immersive Learning
“Embrace uncertainty; it’s the birthplace of innovation.” This epitomizes Monica’s career ethos, where she has consistently embraced uncertainty to craft innovative solutions for the world. Her contributions to the ‘Moonwalk’ experience with Meridian Treehouse and Black Dot Films underscores her commitment to harnessing technology’s power for educational reform. Utilizing over 7,000 archival images from NASA to create a fully immersive environment, the partnership brought history to life in the Metaverse. She shares: “Moonwalk isn’t just about revisiting the past; it’s also a peek into the future.” Through such ground-breaking work, she showcases the transformative potential of immersive technologies to breathe life into subjects like history, art, and science.
Stepping Into the Realms of Education
Like many trailblazers, she experienced a lightning bolt moment, a sudden realization that would forever change her professional trajectory. For Monica, that moment came while volunteering at public high schools. Observing the static nature of teaching materials, she visualized a world where education leapt off the pages, where concepts moved, told stories, and ignited curiosity.
Building the XR Ecosystem in the Metaverse
Securing a whopping $150 million in funding from Meta, Monica’s leadership in shaping the XR ecosystem in the Metaverse has left an indelible mark. From producing award-winning VR experiences like the ‘Anne Frank House VR’ to collaborating with giants like National Geographic, she’s shown the power of XR technology for education. “It’s about bridging the gap between tech and education in a way that fosters curiosity, creativity, and connection,” she states.
Educators aren’t left out of this revolution. In fact, she foresees a future where they have an even richer arsenal of tools to refine their teaching methods. “The new systems will enable them to understand their students better and individualize their teaching strategies,” Monica adds.
She transitioned from the corporate sphere to the hallowed halls of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. There, she began her mission to revolutionize how we learn.
Looking ahead, she sees the confluence of AI, big data, and XR technology leading to highly personalized learning experiences. Within a decade, she envisages the dawn of “neuroeducation” interfaces, where learning techniques adapt to individual neural processes. But what truly stands out in her vision is her commitment to ensuring that technology augments our humanity rather than detracts from it.
Her experience as an educator only solidified her belief in the transformative potential of technology. “I felt constrained by the limitations of 2D surfaces,” she reflects. But it wasn’t until her foray into the tech industry, specifically her tenure at Amazon and later Facebook, that her vision began to take shape.
Upon experiencing VR at Facebook, Monica’s perspective on immersive learning transformed. Despite the technology’s early limitations, she recognized its immense potential. “The second I put it on, I knew it was the medium I had always been looking for,” Monica passionately states. Through initiatives like the ‘Anne Frank House VR’ experience and ‘Breaking Boundaries in Science’ with Jane Goodall, she created a deeper connection, “unlocking opportunities beyond just exploration, like empathy and presence.”
Monica’s journey is a testament to the power of innovation, resilience, and a clear vision. But it’s more than a personal triumph; it’s a call to action for all women in technology and beyond. “We are the architects of the future. Our voices, ideas, and creativity are essential in shaping a world that reflects our values and aspirations,” she urges. As a pioneer, mentor, and visionary, Monica isn’t just shaping the future of technology; she’s inviting us all to be part of the creation. Her work reminds us that the future isn’t something that merely happens — it’s something we create, with inclusivity, empathy, and unyielding progress at its core. Together, we can innovate, inspire, and ensure that the convergence of technology and humanity serves the greater good.
A Tribrid Future: Blending Realities
“If we had stayed the course on the linear model of education, we’d be training ourselves to be more like robots,” Monica observes. But now that the robots are here, we can shift our education to focus on attributes that make us human, like awareness, higher order thinking and problem solving. This is what gives us the freedom to explore and innovate.
