Obama in VR For Ghana Speech – SLobamaghana

If anyone still doubts that virtual worlds can have serious uses then today should change their mind: the President of the United States of America delivering a speech in VR.

This morning (July 11th, 8am EST) President Obama will be in Ghana where he will speak live before what’s expected to be a large crowd. The speech will also form the centrepiece of a global discussion in the virtual worlds of Second Life and Metaplace. For those unable to get in-world there will also be a Twitter feed.

Following President Obama’s speech users in the virtual worlds will be able to join in a “global conversation” with musician and activist D.N.A. (Derrick Ashong), Ambassador Kenton Keith and African historian Professor Tim Burke. There will also be music from DNA.

It’s a significant point in the history of virtual worlds, however there’s still further to go. For this event Obama won’t be live in-world, he’ll only appear personally in a video feed of his speech. There won’t be a Barack Obama avatar.

At least, not an official one.

SLURL: USC Annenberg Island
Metaplace: Interval
Twitter: #obamaghana