UPDATE: AWE Asia 2026 has just concluded at the Singapore Expo, marking a pivotal moment for the extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors. Over the course of three days, from February 5 to February 7, 2026, industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of technology that integrates AI into real-world environments.
The conference, which wrapped up earlier today, emphasized a groundbreaking theme: XR is becoming essential infrastructure as AI applications expand beyond screens. Ori Inbar, co-founder of AWE, opened the event with a powerful assertion: “there is no AI without XR,” highlighting the critical role XR plays in how intelligent systems will interpret and interact with the world.
Keynotes and sessions revealed practical, human-centered approaches to this transformation. Atley Loughridge, Design Engineer at Snap Inc., showcased how the company’s AR technology is transitioning from experimentation to widespread production. Loughridge emphasized the importance of developer-first tools and cross-platform deployment, indicating that wearable AR is poised to become a daily computing layer.
Another prominent speaker, Alvin W. Graylin, explored the concept of programmable reality, stressing the need for trust and responsibility as AI-driven XR systems increasingly influence human decision-making. Furthermore, Mark Billinghurst introduced “Empathic XR,” a concept focusing on immersive systems that can sense human intent and emotion, with significant implications for healthcare and training.
The event also included a developer panel moderated by Steven Xu of Snap Inc., who spotlighted teams creating spatial experiences with Lens Studio. They addressed production-ready workflows and the scaling of projects beyond prototype phases, underscoring the urgency for developers to adapt to evolving technologies.
The expo floor buzzed with excitement, featuring live demonstrations of wearable AR, spatial analytics, and innovative displays. Snap showcased hands-on demos of its Spectacles, providing attendees with a firsthand experience of cutting-edge technology. The atmosphere was electric as teams pitched their pioneering ideas during the inaugural AWE Asia Startup Pitch.
As part of the closing festivities, the Auggie Awards celebrated outstanding contributions in the XR ecosystem. Notable winners included Braillic as Startup to Watch and Snap for Best in Show, showcasing the competitive spirit and innovation driving the industry forward.
The future of XR and AI is looking bright as AWE Asia 2026 comes to a close, with calls for stronger governance and collective action to ensure these technologies align with human well-being. As Dr. James Ong, Founder of the Artificial Intelligence International Institute, stated, “AI for Humanity” must be treated as a shared responsibility.
With insights from leading companies like Meta and Agora, and a focus on the human impact of these technologies, AWE Asia 2026 has set the stage for an exciting new chapter in the world of XR and AI. Attendees left inspired and eager to implement the lessons learned, making this event a crucial milestone in the tech landscape.
Stay tuned for more developments as the effects of this conference unfold in the coming months.
