AHCI RESEARCH GROUP
Publications
Papers published in international journals,
proceedings of conferences, workshops and books.
OUR RESEARCH
Scientific Publications
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You can use the tag cloud to select only the papers dealing with specific research topics.
You can expand the Abstract, Links and BibTex record for each paper.
2025
Cao, J.; Zhou, M.; Wang, J.; Liu, G.; Niyato, D.; Mao, S.; Han, Z.; Kang, J.
A Unified Framework for Underwater Metaverse with Optical Perception Journal Article
In: IEEE Wireless Communications, vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 220–231, 2025, ISSN: 15361284 (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: AI Technologies, Deep sea exploration, Imaging technology, Marine conservations, Metaverses, Optical-, Quantum imaging, Underwater environments, Unified framework, Virtual reality system
@article{cao_unified_2025,
title = {A Unified Framework for Underwater Metaverse with Optical Perception},
author = {J. Cao and M. Zhou and J. Wang and G. Liu and D. Niyato and S. Mao and Z. Han and J. Kang},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105006878504&doi=10.1109%2fMWC.006.2400050&partnerID=40&md5=592626e928bfefaf441b090d3ac16c2e},
doi = {10.1109/MWC.006.2400050},
issn = {15361284 (ISSN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
journal = {IEEE Wireless Communications},
volume = {32},
number = {3},
pages = {220–231},
abstract = {With the advancement of AI technology and increasing attention to deep-sea exploration, the underwater Metaverse is gradually emerging. This article explores the concept of underwater Metaverse, emerging virtual reality systems, and services aimed at simulating and enhancing the virtual experience of marine environments. First, we discuss potential applications of underwater Metaverse in underwater scientific research and marine conservation. Next, we design the architecture and highlight the corresponding design requirements. Then, we present the characteristics of different underwater imaging technologies, such as underwater acoustic imaging, underwater radio imaging, and underwater quantum imaging, in the supporting technologies of the underwater Metaverse. Quantum imaging (QI) technology is suitable for extremely low-light underwater environments, improving the precision and efficiency of underwater imaging. Based on this, we present a use case for building a realistic underwater virtual world using underwater quantum imaging-generative artificial intelligence (QI-GenAI) technology. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the underwater Metaverse framework in simulating complex underwater environments, thus validating its potential to provide high-quality, interactive underwater virtual experiences. Finally, the article examines important future research directions of underwater Metaverse and provides new perspectives for marine science and conservation. © 2002-2012 IEEE.},
keywords = {AI Technologies, Deep sea exploration, Imaging technology, Marine conservations, Metaverses, Optical-, Quantum imaging, Underwater environments, Unified framework, Virtual reality system},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
With the advancement of AI technology and increasing attention to deep-sea exploration, the underwater Metaverse is gradually emerging. This article explores the concept of underwater Metaverse, emerging virtual reality systems, and services aimed at simulating and enhancing the virtual experience of marine environments. First, we discuss potential applications of underwater Metaverse in underwater scientific research and marine conservation. Next, we design the architecture and highlight the corresponding design requirements. Then, we present the characteristics of different underwater imaging technologies, such as underwater acoustic imaging, underwater radio imaging, and underwater quantum imaging, in the supporting technologies of the underwater Metaverse. Quantum imaging (QI) technology is suitable for extremely low-light underwater environments, improving the precision and efficiency of underwater imaging. Based on this, we present a use case for building a realistic underwater virtual world using underwater quantum imaging-generative artificial intelligence (QI-GenAI) technology. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the underwater Metaverse framework in simulating complex underwater environments, thus validating its potential to provide high-quality, interactive underwater virtual experiences. Finally, the article examines important future research directions of underwater Metaverse and provides new perspectives for marine science and conservation. © 2002-2012 IEEE.
Zhang, H.; Zha, S.; Cai, J.; Wohn, D. Y.; Carroll, J. M.
Generative AI in Virtual Reality Communities: A Preliminary Analysis of the VRChat Discord Community Proceedings Article
In: Conf Hum Fact Comput Syst Proc, Association for Computing Machinery, 2025, ISBN: 979-840071395-8 (ISBN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: AI assistant, AI Technologies, Coding framework, Ethical technology, Human-ai collaboration, Immersive, On-line communities, online community, Preliminary analysis, Property, Qualitative analysis, user experience, Users' experiences
@inproceedings{zhang_generative_2025,
title = {Generative AI in Virtual Reality Communities: A Preliminary Analysis of the VRChat Discord Community},
author = {H. Zhang and S. Zha and J. Cai and D. Y. Wohn and J. M. Carroll},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105005770564&doi=10.1145%2f3706599.3720120&partnerID=40&md5=9bdfc4e70b9b361d67791932f5a56413},
doi = {10.1145/3706599.3720120},
isbn = {979-840071395-8 (ISBN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
booktitle = {Conf Hum Fact Comput Syst Proc},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
abstract = {As immersive social platforms like VRChat increasingly adopt generative AI (GenAI) technologies, it becomes critical to understand how community members perceive, negotiate, and utilize these tools. In this preliminary study, we conducted a qualitative analysis of VRChat-related Discord discussions, employing a deductive coding framework to identify key themes related to AI-assisted content creation, intellectual property disputes, and evolving community norms. Our findings offer preliminary insights into the complex interplay between the community’s enthusiasm for AI-driven creativity and deep-rooted ethical and legal concerns. Users weigh issues of fair use, data ethics, intellectual property, and the role of community governance in establishing trust. By highlighting the tensions and trade-offs as users embrace new creative opportunities while seeking transparency, fair attribution, and equitable policies, this research offers valuable insights for designers, platform administrators, and policymakers aiming to foster responsible, inclusive, and ethically sound AI integration in future immersive virtual environments. © 2025 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).},
keywords = {AI assistant, AI Technologies, Coding framework, Ethical technology, Human-ai collaboration, Immersive, On-line communities, online community, Preliminary analysis, Property, Qualitative analysis, user experience, Users' experiences},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
As immersive social platforms like VRChat increasingly adopt generative AI (GenAI) technologies, it becomes critical to understand how community members perceive, negotiate, and utilize these tools. In this preliminary study, we conducted a qualitative analysis of VRChat-related Discord discussions, employing a deductive coding framework to identify key themes related to AI-assisted content creation, intellectual property disputes, and evolving community norms. Our findings offer preliminary insights into the complex interplay between the community’s enthusiasm for AI-driven creativity and deep-rooted ethical and legal concerns. Users weigh issues of fair use, data ethics, intellectual property, and the role of community governance in establishing trust. By highlighting the tensions and trade-offs as users embrace new creative opportunities while seeking transparency, fair attribution, and equitable policies, this research offers valuable insights for designers, platform administrators, and policymakers aiming to foster responsible, inclusive, and ethically sound AI integration in future immersive virtual environments. © 2025 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).