Emerging Technologies - Platform Information

Important Information for Registrants

Our event will begin promptly at 8:30 am(PST), and we encourage all of you to enter the virtual space early to explore and familiarize yourself with the controls. You can access the virtual space, and find out more about what to expect, here.

Please register to attend by November 23rd, late registrants will not be able to enter the Gather space. 

Access Conference

The virtual space will open at 8:00am PT; we recommend giving yourself 15 minutes to familiarize yourself with the platform before the event begins. If you think you may need assistance learning the controls, please come earlier as we are expecting a full house.

Emerging Technologies: BC's AI Showcase is hosted by Virtual Chair on the Gather platform.  As a reminder, you must log into the platform with the email you used to register for the event.  A virtual attendant will be present to answer any technical questions, and you can email help+caida@virtualchair.net with additional logistical issues.

Watch a video about Virtual Chair here: https://vimeo.com/448215557/4cc714e40d

Read about the platform and some FAQs here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yavLfJ_vJnfMX_AKeo9JsaqU5QcuTN58/view

 Gather pro-tips:

  • Gather is only supported on Firefox and Google Chrome browsers
  • If you’re using a VPN, make sure it’s set to allow/support Gather
  • Click on a room in the calendar and Gather will help you navigate there.
  • Enlarge videos by clicking on them (including videos of people you’re talking to).  
  • If you’re having bandwidth issues, try turning off your or others videos by clicking on the video camera icon superimposed on the video (it won’t impact the views of others).  Similarly, if someone’s background noise is disturbing you, you can mute them (again without impacting whether others can hear them).
  • Curate a “friends” list by private chatting with people; they will appear in your chat list thereafter.  
  • Check out people’s name badges. You can click on their name in the video chat and a badge pops up with their affiliation.
  • Use “room chat” during watch parties to talk to everyone in the room.
  • Don’t stand in doorways; it blocks others. And if you get stuck in traffic, hold down the ‘g’ key to turn into a ghost and walk through the avatars that are blocking your way.
  • Bring your virtual dance shoes and try dancing by pressing and holding ‘z’!  No one has two left feet in Gather.

First Nations land acknowledegement

We acknowledge that the UBC Point Grey campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm.


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