The Future of AI, XR & Open Standards with Ben Erwin

What happens when we repeat the mistakes of the early internet?

In this episode of Coffey & Code, Ashley Coffey sits down with immersive technology pioneer Ben Erwin to explore one of the most important conversations happening in AI and XR today: why open standards, interoperability, and digital ownership matter more than ever.

From his early work building websites in the 1990s to developing projects for the United Nations, the New York Times, and founding the Academy of Immersive Arts & Sciences, Ben shares how decades of experience have shaped his vision for the future of immersive technology.

Together, Ashley Coffey and Ben Erwin unpack the intersection of AI, open source software, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), WebXR, creator rights, public media, ethics, and the future of the internet.

If you care about where technology is headed—and who gets to shape it—this conversation is essential listening!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why open standards matter for the future of AI and XR
• How Flash’s collapse still impacts today’s technology decisions
• The hidden risks of closed platforms and walled gardens
• Why interoperability is critical for spatial computing
• The future of digital ownership in AI and immersive media
• How creator economies can become more ethical and sustainable
• Why immersive technology needs its own public media ecosystem
• Lessons startups can learn before building the next generation of AI products
• What today’s AI revolution can learn from the early web
• Why education and open ecosystems will determine who wins the next decade

EPISODE CREDITS:

Produced and edited by Ashley Coffey. Cover art designed by Ashley Coffey.

Headshot by Brandlink Media

Introduction music composed and produced by Ashley Coffey

LINKS

Follow Coffey & Code on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, and YouTube for the latest emerging tech updates! Subscribe to the Coffey & Code Podcast wherever you get your podcasts to be notified when new episodes go live.

© 2026 Coffey & Code Podcast. All rights reserved. The content of this podcast, including but not limited to text, graphics, audio, and images, is the property of Ashley Coffey and may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used in any manner without the express written consent of the owner.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.