TL;DR
Apple Vision Pro is set to transform business meetings by enabling a virtual yet highly immersive in-person experience. As a global technology leader, I had the opportunity to test this cutting-edge device in Los Angeles. It offers a viable alternative to physical meetings, significantly reducing travel costs, saving time, and minimising the carbon footprint of corporate travel.
Apple Vision Pro: Redefining the Future of Business Meetings
During a recent trip to Los Angeles, I had the exclusive opportunity to test Apple Vision Pro—Apple’s most ambitious foray into augmented and virtual reality. As a Global CIO with years of experience leading digital transformation, I instantly recognised the potential this technology holds for business meetings, collaboration, and remote work.
Apple Vision Pro is more than just a mixed-reality headset—it’s a step towards eliminating traditional business travel by offering a fully immersive, high-definition meeting environment that feels just as real as being in the same room. The implications for cost savings, time efficiency, and sustainability are profound.
The Future of Meetings: Immersive and Cost-Effective
Business travel has long been a necessity, yet it comes with significant costs—not only financially but also in terms of time and environmental impact. The Apple Vision Pro presents a viable alternative to in-person meetings by offering an unparalleled immersive experience.
Here’s how it will revolutionise business meetings:
1. Reducing Travel Costs
Companies spend millions annually on travel expenses—flights, hotels, meals, and transport. With Apple Vision Pro, high-quality virtual face-to-face interactions can eliminate the need for frequent international travel, saving businesses hundreds of thousands per year.
2. Maximising Time Efficiency
Travel is a time-consuming process. Whether it’s flying across the Atlantic or commuting to a different city, business professionals spend hours or even days in transit. Apple Vision Pro allows executives to jump into a meeting instantly, without the logistical hassle of travel.
3. Minimising Carbon Footprint
Sustainability is a growing concern for businesses worldwide. Corporate travel contributes significantly to carbon emissions—a single transatlantic flight emits as much CO₂ per passenger as the annual emissions of an average car.By adopting Apple Vision Pro for meetings, businesses can take a major step towards net-zero targets while still maintaining strong global relationships.
A Virtual Meeting Experience Like No Other
Having tested Apple Vision Pro first-hand, I was stunned by the clarity, depth, and realism of the virtual meeting spaces. Unlike traditional video calls, this device creates a life-like, interactive environment where users can:
See realistic avatars of colleagues with facial expressions and eye contact.
Share interactive 3D presentations in real-time.
Manipulate virtual objects and collaborate in a shared digital workspace.
Feel a true sense of presence, as if in the same room with colleagues.
The high-resolution micro-OLED display, paired with spatial audio, made conversations feel natural and engaging—far beyond what traditional video conferencing tools can offer.
The Road Ahead: Adoption in the Corporate World
While Apple Vision Pro is a premium product (launching at $3,499), its long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment. As with any emerging technology, early adopters—especially large enterprises—will pave the way for mainstream adoption.
Industries That Will Benefit the Most
🔹 Consulting & Finance – Virtual boardroom meetings with clients worldwide.🔹 Healthcare – Remote surgical training and medical collaboration.🔹 Engineering & Manufacturing – 3D model collaboration across global teams.🔹 Retail & E-commerce – Immersive product demonstrations and virtual store planning.
Over the next few years, as hardware costs decrease and software applications expand, Apple Vision Pro could become as common in boardrooms as laptops and smartphones.
Conclusion
The Apple Vision Pro is not just another tech gadget—it’s a paradigm shift in how businesses communicate and collaborate. My experience in Los Angeles confirmed that virtual meetings will never be the same again.
By reducing costs, saving time, and minimising the environmental impact of corporate travel, Apple Vision Pro could become the standard for executive meetings worldwide. The future of business meetings is immersive, efficient, and sustainable—and it’s already here.
FAQs
1. How does Apple Vision Pro differ from traditional video conferencing?
Apple Vision Pro offers an immersive 3D environment where participants feel like they are in the same room. Unlike Zoom or Teams, it uses spatial audio, eye-tracking, and realistic avatars to enhance engagement.
2. Is Apple Vision Pro suitable for everyday business meetings?
For now, Apple Vision Pro is best suited for high-level executive meetings, remote collaboration, and 3D presentations. As the technology evolves, it may become viable for day-to-day virtual interactions.
3. What are the biggest challenges in adopting Apple Vision Pro for business?
The high cost and the need for strong computing power may limit early adoption. However, as prices decrease and more businesses embrace AR/VR solutions, its use will expand.
4. How can Apple Vision Pro help businesses reduce their carbon footprint?
By eliminating the need for frequent business travel, Apple Vision Pro significantly cuts down on air travel emissions, helping organisations achieve sustainability goals.
What are your thoughts? How can you see this technology help your organisation? How do you see the benefits of immersive collaboration and the benefits of reducing our carbon footprint?
Richard Keenlyside is a Global CIO for the LoneStar Group and a former IT Director for J Sainsbury’s PLC.
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