Evo Heyning on Realitycraft: Key Insights into Ethical AI, World Building, and the Future of Spatial Computing
- Nico Fara
- 13 minutes ago
- 4 min read
This week on The Immergence Show, we were thrilled to host Evo Heyning, a visionary Executive Producer and Creative Technologist who has bridged the gap between practical effects for legendary films to architecting the future of ethical AI and the open spatial web. She is a recognized voice in generative media, a fierce advocate for data sovereignty, and the CEO of Realitycraft.
Evo shared profound insights into "Realitycraft"—a framework for moving beyond simple prompt engineering to designing entire worlds with intention, ethics, and physical resiliency. This article distills the key educational takeaways and pivotal insights from our discussion.
While we explore the core concepts here, to truly grasp the depth of Evo’s vision, including her incredible backstory of coding for the Virginia State Legislature at age six while simultaneously exhibiting art, the full video interview is a must-watch.
Theme 1: From Prompt Craft to Realitycraft
We often get lost in the "how" of technology—which model to use or which prompt generates the best image. Evo argues that we need to invert this process. "Realitycraft" is not about the tool; it is about the inquiry. It requires creators and founders to start with the world they want to build and the impact they want to have, rather than the technology they want to deploy.
This approach acts as a strategic filter. By asking deep questions about the desired reality first, teams can de-risk innovation. It allows them to identify when a specific tool aligns with their goals and, crucially, when to put a tool back in the box because it doesn't serve the human experience they are trying to craft.
Key Insight: "Realitycraft stands for a series of questions about the reality the world that you want to create... thinking about the technology before the desired goal or impact is often backward."
Theme 2: Ethical AI and The Fight for Data Sovereignty
A significant portion of the conversation focused on the hidden costs of our current AI tools: surveillance capitalism. Evo highlighted a growing tension for nonprofits and creators who are inadvertently feeding sensitive community data into "black box" models. The industry is facing a critical juncture where convenience often battles with ethics.
For developers and organizations, the path forward involves rigorous hygiene regarding data chains. This might mean opting for local LLMs (Large Language Models) that run on private hardware rather than cloud-based giants, ensuring that the data of vulnerable populations remains sovereign and protected.
Key Insight: "We are building the policy, the infrastructure, at the same time we're building the technology... if a technology is keeping you from connecting with people, maybe leave it at home."
Theme 3: Bridging the Digital and Biogenic Worlds
Perhaps the most fascinating part of Evo’s current work is how she blends high-tech spatial computing with "biogenic" physical building. She discussed her project "Grow a Home," which utilizes immersive storytelling to educate people on resilient building materials like hemp lime.
She also detailed how technologies like Gaussian Splats (3D reality capture) are being used for public planning in places like Oakland. By creating digital twins of historic sites, we can simulate future climate impacts—like rising sea levels—to help communities make better decisions today. It is a perfect example of using virtual worlds to save physical ones.
Key Insight: "We are designing even as we design immersive spaces in virtual, we are also doing that in physical space... when we give people access to what a place can become, both good or bad, we help them make better decisions."
Theme 4: The Art of Slowing Down
In an era defined by the frantic speed of generative AI updates, Evo offers a counter-intuitive strategy: slow down. Drawing from her background in film and analog preservation, she emphasizes that true differentiation comes from "texture," "vibe," and emotional regulation—qualities that are often lost in a manic production cycle.
Intentional design requires a "pause" to ensure that what is being created actually lands with the audience. Evo suggests that while AI can accelerate concepting, the human element of curation and the "off-limits" boundaries we set are what ultimately define the art.
Key Insight: "Innovation is a tension... but it's also sometimes the edge we need to be able to say, 'I don't want to be on that edge anymore. I'm going to step back and do something different.'"
Looking Ahead: Evo Heyning’s Vision for the Future
When asked about the next 12 to 18 months, Evo predicts a massive shift away from blind adoption toward "trust" as the primary currency. She foresees a split where creators and companies will increasingly reject the "industrial AI complex" in favor of local, controllable, and transparent workflows to maintain the confidence of their audiences.
For Evo’s full, unfiltered predictions on where spatial computing is heading—including some truly eye-opening scenarios regarding how different global cultures (specifically in Asia) are adopting smart glasses differently than the West—the complete Immergence Show episode is unmissable.
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This article provides a strategic overview, but the magic is in the details! To hear Evo Heyning share the specific findings from her filming at a Norwegian Folk Museum regarding middle ages housing resilience, and to truly absorb her advice on navigating the "wild west" of world models, you need to experience the conversation firsthand.
About Your Host & The Immergence Show
Nico Fara is a Go-To-Market Strategist, Product Marketing Consultant, and passionate Community Builder specializing in the vibrant intersection of AI, Gaming, XR, and Consumer Tech. With a talent for translating visionary tech into compelling product strategies and fostering thriving, engaged communities, Nico empowers brands to connect authentically with their audiences and drive impactful growth. Explore Nico's insights further by visiting www.nicofara.com or www.productmarketpro.com
Get your weekly dose of community and cutting-edge insights on The Immergence Show, a thriving live community event where innovation in AI, XR, Web3, Gaming, and Retail-Tech meets a deeply engaged global community. We host interactive discussions with industry pioneers, ensuring our audience of creative technologists, entrepreneurs, and brand executives leaves with fresh perspectives and actionable knowledge. Join the live experience every Tuesday at 12 PM EST on LinkedIn, catch up on all past episodes via our YouTube Channel and find more resources on www.theimmergence.com.
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