META’S president of global affairs Sir Nick Clegg says the metaverse is the “logical evolution of the internet” and will become mainstream “one way or another”, but admitted tech firms have “a lot of work to do” to build credibility around the idea.
The UK’s former deputy prime minister said the metaverse could be a “positive force” for inclusivity and bridge divides between people.
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The metaverse is a virtual space, where people can work, play, shop and socialize.
In simple terms, the metaverse will allow humans to do real-life activities, virtually on the internet.
Sir Nick said although the technology was 10 to 15 years away, the metaverse would have a global impact.
He said: “When Facebook started 18 years ago, we mostly typed text on websites.
“When we got phones with cameras, the internet became more visual and mobile.
“As connections got faster, video became a richer way to share things.
“We’ve gone from desktop to web to mobile; from text to photos to video.
“In this progression, the metaverse is a logical evolution.
“It’s the next generation of the internet – a more immersive, 3D experience.”
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The metaverse’s defining quality will be “a feeling of presence, like you are right there with another person or in another place”, he added.
“It will be built on the interconnectedness the internet enables so we can do more and have even richer experiences”.
“All this has the potential to unlock new opportunities and spark new ideas we haven’t yet imagined, and to have a huge positive impact both socially and economically.”
“Done well, the metaverse could be a positive force for inclusion and equity, bridging some of the divides that exist in today’s physical and digital spaces.”
Sir Nick said school children would be able to use the metaverse to go on trips to historic landmarks and “experience them as they would have been at the time”, or medical students could practice surgeries without risking harming real patients.
But the Meta exec also spoke about the dangers of the technology and the need to learn from the harmful content on the internet currently, which he said could be accelerated in this new virtual world.
He said: “Of course, the unique characteristics of the metaverse will contribute to negative as well as positive experiences.
“For example, a sense of immersion can heighten the emotional impact of offensive or aggressive interactions that would probably be less affecting in a 2D, text-based environment.”
Sir Nick argued, “time is on our side” with the metaverse as it’s still years away.
“We must create thoughtful rules and put guardrails into place as the metaverse develops to maximise its potential for good and minimise the potential harms,” he said.
