Empowered XR through Generative AI: Balancing Superpowers and Risks

The integration of generative AI with Extended Reality (XR) technologies has unlocked unprecedented capabilities, empowering users with enhanced cognitive, sensory, and environmental control – effectively enabling "superpowers" in immersive digital spaces. This paper explores both the benefits and potential risks. We make two contributions: (i) a synthesized taxonomy of LLM-enabled XR superpowers and their associated risks, and (ii) a set of design guidelines and a forward research agenda derived from that synthesis. We conduct a multi-phase analysis of 135 recent advancements and studies in the field to examine the superpowers granted by these technologies, alongside their associated risks. We categorize the superpowers into internal (cognitive and sensory enhancements) and external (environmental and social manipulations), illustrating how they amplify human abilities in domains such as healthcare, education, and professional training. We then analyze the risks specific to each superpower, revealing critical vulnerabilities in user autonomy, data security, and ethical transparency. This research aims to guide stakeholders in harnessing the potential of XR while mitigating the socio-technical risks of this emerging landscape.