Virtual Reality and AI summer course focuses on technology as a means for human-centric innovation

Gautam's background lies at the intersection of storytelling, technology, and human experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in filmmaking with a focus on cinematography, followed by a master's in game design at Aalto. His work applies interactive design to complex real-world contexts, such as a cinematic game created in Palestine that aimed to foster empathy and systemic understanding through interactivity.  

‘The shift from passive to active media led me to immersive technologies like VR and AI, which I view as powerful new canvases for narrative, engagement, and problem-solving.’ says Gautam. 

What excites you most about teaching this course at Aalto University Summer School?

I am most excited about engaging with students from diverse backgrounds. Just like the Aalto way of doing things, the Summer School has been a melting pot of minds from design, computer science, business, psychology, and the arts. This diversity is crucial because VR/AI shouldn't be siloed as mere technical fields; they are media for human expression and creativity.  

I hope to establish a vibrant, collaborative conversation where we learn from each other's perspectives. 

Why is the topic of immersive media so important right now? 

We are at a pivotal convergence of forces: AI is transforming creation, VR is maturing embodied experience, and immersive media is emerging as a new frontier for human cognition and geopolitics. 

These technologies will shape how we understand history (e.g: through immersive documentaries), how we empathize with distant conflicts (like my work in Palestine demonstrated), and how we are persuaded.  

The converging forces of politics, economics, psychology, and history are now playing out in this new, persuasive, and deeply personal medium. 

For students who may be new to immersive media, what core ideas or skills do you hope they walk away with by the end of the course? 

The core magic of VR is the feeling of being there. Students will learn human-centered design principles (like storyboarding, user agency, spatial audio, and comfort) that create a sense of presence, rather than just high-fidelity graphics. Regarding AI, they will gain a conceptual understanding of how AI (from simple algorithms to neural networks) can be used to generate content and adapt experiences.  

Most importantly, students will be exposed to a critical framework. They will learn to ask: "Why VR? Why AI?" for any given project. Is this the right medium for the goal? What are the ethical implications? They'll walk away not just as creators or users, but as thoughtful designers and critics of immersive media. 

How does the course prepare students to apply VR and AI skills beyond the classroom, whether in design, research, or industry contexts? 

The course is built on applied, project-based learning involving plenty of group-work. Students won't just learn theory; they will conceptualise and prototype their own VR/AI experience. This hands-on process mirrors real-world pipelines in design studios, research labs, and tech companies. They will develop an experience that demonstrates their ability to tackle a problem with an integrated media solution. Furthermore, the critical framework they develop will allow them to strategically apply these powerful tools where they truly add value. 

The application period for Introduction to Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence is open from 30 January – to 31 May 2026.