Reality fluency is emerging as a critical skill as consumers are challenged to make sense of different versions of reality in today’s world, where digital, physical, and augmented environments are constantly merging.

This goes beyond basic media literacy – it requires individuals to move between virtual worlds, augmented spaces and social media algorithms that each present different versions of the “truth”. With technology creating more immersive environments and mis- and disinformation spreading widely, the ability to distinguish what’s real is essential. AI-generated posts and imagery now flood popular media channels, adding to the challenge.

This shift impacts many parts of society, including education and governance. Schools are now teaching students how to critically evaluate information and think clearly across different knowledge systems, whether scientific, social or even personal beliefs. Governments also face challenges because people are living in different “realities” based on what information they’re exposed to, making it harder to agree on shared facts. In culture, stories and entertainment are also changing, with narratives designed to function across multiple reality layers, reflecting the growing complexity of how we experience the world.