S. 1106: United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act of 2025

The United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act of 2025 is legislation aimed at promoting the use of immersive technology, including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR), within the United States. The bill has several key components designed to enhance the country's leadership in this area, which is deemed important for economic competitiveness and national security.

Establishment of an Advisory Panel

One of the main provisions of the bill is the creation of the Immersive Technology Advisory Panel. This panel will be tasked with making recommendations on the use and implementation of immersive technology across various sectors. The panel is required to be established within 180 days after the enactment of the Act and will be chaired by an appointee selected by the Secretary of Commerce, with input from relevant congressional committees.

Objectives of the Advisory Panel

The Advisory Panel will focus on several objectives:

• Assessing the economic impact of immersive technology.
• Making recommendations to enhance the economic competitiveness of the United States through the use of immersive technology.
• Developing processes to foster collaboration between the federal government and the private sector regarding immersive technology.
• Ensuring ethical use of immersive technology, particularly in relation to data privacy and individual rights.
• Positioning the U.S. as a global leader in the immersive technology field and encouraging partnerships with allied nations.

Study on Immersive Technology

The Advisory Panel is also required to conduct a comprehensive study on the state of the immersive technology industry. This study must be completed no later than two years after the bill's enactment and will assess:

• The overall impact of immersive technology on economic competitiveness and national security.
• Investment needs and personnel requirements for successful implementation of immersive technologies.
• Potential risks associated with immersive technology and strategies for risk mitigation.
• Ways to facilitate ease of use while safeguarding rights related to privacy and digital identity.

Support and Reporting

The Secretary of Commerce will provide administrative and technical support to the Advisory Panel. Additionally, within 90 days of completing the study, a report detailing the findings and recommendations will be submitted to Congress and published publicly on a White House website.

Importance of Immersive Technology

The bill outlines the increasing significance of immersive technology as a critical component of emerging technologies, projecting that it will influence various sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, education, and public safety. It emphasizes the need for the U.S. to maintain its leadership in the development and application of these technologies amidst growing competition from countries like China.

Definitions

To clarify the terms used in the bill:

• Immersive Technology: Technology that integrates physical and digital environments to support user engagement.
• Augmented Reality: A technology that overlays digital information onto the physical world.
• Virtual Reality: A technology that creates a completely simulated environment for the user.
• Mixed Reality: A blend of augmented and virtual reality, allowing for interaction between real and virtual elements.

Relevant Companies

• FB (Meta Platforms): As a leading company in the VR and AR industry, Meta would be directly affected by potential regulations and standards set forth by the Advisory Panel.
• AAPL (Apple Inc.): Apple is heavily invested in AR technologies and could see impacts related to the development and implementation of new standards and recommended practices.
• GOOGL (Alphabet Inc.): Google, known for its initiatives in AR, would also be affected by any changes in regulatory and competitive landscapes proposed by this bill.