Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1541563
C T I N N O V A T O R S , 2 0 2 5 3 5 Wallace says VR is a tool in the toolbox that allows learners to develop basic skills so instructors can focus on teaching more advanced skills. And that toolbox is expanding to increasingly include artificial intelligence. "AI is going to make (healthcare training) more robust and more meaningful," Wallace said. "Patient care can't just be about the technical skills; incorporating the human element and soft skills should be a core element." For example, through AI-driven simulations, EMT or certified nursing assistant trainees can not only learn how to treat a patient suffering a seizure, but also navigate the emotional stress of a pan- icked parent. Wallace said that helps students practice communi- cating clearly and empathetically under pressure. VRSim's technology also provides feedback and scoring on both medical technique and communication — including tone of voice and intonation — making the experience more realistic and human. With demand for skilled healthcare workers expected to rise over the next decade as the Baby Boomer population ages, Wal- lace expects VRSim's healthcare offerings to account for a growing share of the company's revenue. "The allied health roles like EMTs and certified nursing assistants are often underserved, undertrained and underpaid," Wallace said. These factors contribute to high turnover, staffing shortages and the need for accelerated and effective training for entry-level roles at hospitals, nursing homes and memory care centers. Expanding markets As Wallace looks ahead, he sees two key growth opportunities for AI-enabled virtual reality training: elder care and education. Both sectors, he said, need more hands-on, simulation-based tools to help users practice communication and build empathy. Specifically, VRSim is developing a new program aimed at helping families and caregivers better understand what it's like to live with de- mentia. e need is growing: the National Institutes of Health projects that annual new dementia cases in the U.S. could double to about 1 million by 2060 — and it estimates that roughly 42 % of U.S. adults age 55 and older may develop the disease in their lifetime. rough VR simulations, users can experience interactions with patients and gain insight into the sensory and cognitive challenges they face. In addition, VRSim is developing an app designed to help teachers and school administrators practice de-escalation techniques. e program will use virtual scenarios — such as interacting with an upset student — to help educators learn how to communicate calmly and turn emotionally charged moments into constructive outcomes for both themselves and the student. Aer nearly two decades in the virtual reality industry, Wallace said he remains confident in the technology's future as a workforce training tool. He points to falling costs that make VR adoption more accessible, even for smaller organizations, and the growing need to continuously upskill both new and existing workers. "Constant retraining is going to be a key component for employees across multiple sectors," Wallace said. "And it's got to be faster, less expensive and effective in the results it delivers." VRSim CEO Matthew Wallace sketches out elements of the company's commercial painting, dementia-care and EMS training programs during a planning session. I