Reframing Immigrant Narratives through AI-Assisted Co-Creation and Immersive Experience: A Case Study of Ideal Home

Abstract

This study examines immigrant storytelling as an experiential and participatory form of communication. We created Ideal Home, an AI-assisted immersive narrative experience that combines large language model–supported narrative co-creation with virtual reality. To understand audience experiences, we conducted in-depth interviews with participants and domain experts to examine which design factors shaped interpretation, emotional engagement, and sense-making of immigrant narratives. Our findings highlight four experiential design dimensions: multi-perspectival narratives, non-linear narrative structure, metaphorical spatial aesthetics, and intentionally constrained user agency. We use these findings to discuss how these dimensions can inform the design of narrative experiences that support cross-cultural understanding and meaningful emotional connection.

Keywords: Interactive Storytelling, LLMs-facilitated Writing, Virtual Reality, Migrant Narrative

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007638