Reality Labs Research: A look back, a look forward
Michael Abrash (Facebook Reality Labs)
Distinguished Lecture Series
Thursday, December 4, 2025, 3:30 pm
Gates Center (CSE2), G20 | Amazon Auditorium
Abstract
11 years ago, as Michael started what was then called Oculus Research, at Facebook, he gave a talk at UW about the potential he saw in virtual reality. That talk turned out to be a pivotal moment on the path to where what is now called Reality Labs Research, at what is now called Meta. He’ll look at what his goals were back then and how that’s worked out in both expected and surprising ways, where things are today, and what might be coming over the upcoming years.
Bio
Michael Abrash is the Chief Scientist of Facebook Reality Labs, a research laboratory that brings together a world-class R&D team of scientists, developers and engineers to build the future of connection via virtual reality, augmented reality, and wearables. He was graphics leads for the first two versions of Windows NT, teamed with John Carmack on Quake, worked on the first two versions of Microsoft’s Xbox, and helped develop virtual reality at Valve. He is also the author of several books, including Michael Abrash’s Programming Black Book.
This lecture will be streamed live and recorded.