What is the Metaverse?

The word is everywhere, from Bloomberg to Disney to Facebook; what is it? According to Economic Times, the metaverse is a collection or network of 3D virtual worlds designed to foster social interaction. Using advanced human-computer interaction hardware (e.g., Augmented Reality-Virtual Reality [AR-VR] headsets) and software, users can interact with each other in the metaverse through their digital avatars. It has been described as the future of the internet, a video game, and a bad version of Zoom. Clear as mud? It is as difficult to define now, as the internet was a few decades ago. (And still is.)

Businesspeople envision a digital economy, where users can create, buy, and sell goods. Perhaps you will take new home or hotel tours, which will benefit the building and hospitality industries. To gamers, this is a space where they can compete and socialize with their friends. It’s a virtual reality world where goggle and full-face helmet wearers conquer their enemies through individual avatars. Meta (Facebook) envisions fake houses where you can invite friends to hang out together regardless of their location. Microsoft believes it could involve virtual meeting rooms to train new employees or chat with your remote coworkers.

The metaverse is still under construction but it is not a fad; we must wait and see what it will eventually become. The term doesn't really refer to any one specific type of technology, but rather a broad (and often speculative) shift in how we interact with technology.