--- description: Will it take over physical reality? title: How Can Virtual Reality Affect Your Life? image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf3d6f0bc87c69868/698898c1656a3fde3cbcbfd4/gettyimages-551958291.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Business](/section/business/) ## Business Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Tech](/tag/time-section-tech/) ## Tech Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # How Can Virtual Reality Affect Your Life? by [Rosalie Chan](/author/rosalie-chan/) ## Rosalie Chan Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jun 22, 2016 5:16 PM CUT  Profile of man wearing smart glasses opposite man working on computer Profile of man wearing smart glasses opposite man working on computerPatrick George—Getty Images/Ikon Images by [Rosalie Chan](/author/rosalie-chan/) ## Rosalie Chan Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jun 22, 2016 5:16 PM CUT [Virtual reality technology](http://time.com/4190087/apple-virtual-reality-rumors-hires/?iid=sr-link5 "undefined") is heading toward mainstream use, and [augmented reality](http://time.com/4122253/virtual-reality/?iid=sr-link10 "undefined") is one type of the emerging technology. Augmented reality devices, such as the [Microsoft HoloLens](http://time.com/4190843/microsoft-hololens-demo-2016/?iid=sr-link8 "undefined") or Google Glass, overlay virtual images on top of the real world. Experts believe [augmented reality](http://time.com/4165917/ces-2016-preview/?iid=sr-link9 "undefined") will be useful in the workplace, such as by guiding factory workers in manufacturing products, presenting scenarios for work training or GPS-enabled displays. Brands like [McDonald’s, Tommy Hilfiger and Dior](http://time.com/4273885/virtual-reality-shopping/?iid=sr-link8 "undefined") have also used VR for marketing. In this poll ahead of the World Economic Forum in China, TIME asks key questions about the impact of virtual and augmented reality that would change the way you live your life. The results of the poll will be presented during a panel hosted by TIME editor Matt Vella in Tianjin, China on June 26. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4376360/virtual-reality-wef/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4376360/virtual-reality-wef/"},"headline":"How Can Virtual Reality Affect Your Life?","datePublished":"2016-06-22T17:16:38.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T08:50:09.150Z","description":"Will it take over physical reality?","url":"https://time.com/4376360/virtual-reality-wef/","keywords":["Tech","Gadgets","Technology"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf3d6f0bc87c69868/698898c1656a3fde3cbcbfd4/gettyimages-551958291.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Rosalie Chan","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/rosalie-chan/"}],"articleSection":"Business","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf3d6f0bc87c69868/698898c1656a3fde3cbcbfd4/gettyimages-551958291.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Profile of man wearing smart glasses opposite man working on computer","caption":"Profile of man wearing smart glasses opposite man working on computer","creditText":"Patrick George—Getty Images/Ikon Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/business/","name":"Business"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-tech/","name":"Tech"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4376360/virtual-reality-wef/","name":"How Can Virtual Reality Affect Your Life?"}}]}] ```