This practice-based, narrative article chronicles the eighteen-month development and execution of the Universel 2025 (U25) conference, an interdisciplinary event exploring the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and human-centered education. Leaders in online higher education can benefit from exploring this conference’s planning, implementation, lessons learned, and successes. Originally conceived as “MetaverSEL,” the project pivoted in response to evolving political discourse regarding Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and the rapid emergence of generative AI. The narrative details a “stone soup” approach to conference planning, leveraging limited financial resources, including a foundational seed grant from National University’s Cause Research Institute, and significant human capital from a coalition of scholars across academic and private sectors. The conference utilized a dual-platform strategy, integrating Zoom Events for traditional sessions with EngageVR for immersive, AI-assisted virtual environments designed to foster spatial and social presence. Highlights from the 21 sessions across three days underscored three core themes: • AI as a Human Amplifier: Technology serves to enhance, rather than replace, educator creativity and student wellbeing. • Immersion as Pedagogy: VR has matured into a viable environment for both cognitive and emotional engagement. • Students as Co-Creators: The future of educational technology must be designed in partnership with learners. Post-event analysis indicates high attendee satisfaction (NPS +29), specifically praising the practical applications of AI chatbots and immersive learning. The authors conclude by reflecting on future improvements, emphasizing a shift toward more dynamic, active learning formats and more robust marketing strategies to expand institutional outreach. Keywords: Conference, Community of Inquiry, Metaverse, Intercollegiate, Artificial Intelligence, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Virtual Reality, Higher Education, Human-Centered AI, Immersive Learning
Arnold et al. (Fri,) studied this question.