In October 2021, Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg announced his company’s plans to focus on the metaverse. In theory it’s a plan to connect all of us in real time via virtual experiences. According to Zuckerberg, this would replace the current mobile internet system.

To simplify it, in concept the metaverse is a virtual platform on which interactions will take place. It’s a system of connected experiences.

Technology Trends

Looking at the emerging technology trends, it’s easy to see how everything is connected and leading towards a metaverse.

Virtual world

5G Communication

5G is a wireless network that is capable of delivering data speeds in gigabytes per second and with very low latency (little or no delay in transmission). It is designed to connect machines, objects and devices. The concept of the metaverse will require massive internet speeds, which can only be provided with 5G.

Crypto

In a virtual world, a system of payments is required; enter the blockchain. The blockchain provides the security for currencies to exist in this new world. Global financial systems are sometimes subject to manipulations and other vices that simply can’t exist in the metaverse.

NFTs

There’s been a lot of talk about non-fungible tokens or NFTs recently. A non-fungible token is a unique piece of digital content. It is based on the Ethereum blockchain which guarantees it’s uniqueness. In a physical world, people can make copies or counterfeits of digital items. In a virtual world, the record reflects who owns the original. In future we may see implementations that will flag copies and even delete them.

I think it’s clear to see the direction that things are taking. Does all this sound a bit Matrix-esque? Maybe; it is a good idea to be fully aware and informed of all that is happening in the space.

Observations

  1. The Metaverse in concept seems to be able to solve a lot of major issues by its virtual nature. Things like hunger, disease, crime, fraud, wars and much more. New rules for interaction will be defined and certain actions can be limited or removed completely.
  2. The Metaverse will create new work opportunities for people. A new set of skills is required to build for and thrive in this space. Occupations like 3D modeling, architecture, graphics and game design will take on a new significance.

No one can say with any certainty if and when all of these things will happen, but it’s worth paying attention to.

The force be with you!