Digital Dubai
In June of this year, the UN marked the inaugural “Virtual Worlds Day” by introducing the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds (GIVW) – Discovering The CitiVerse. This collaborative effort involving Digital Dubai, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC) aims to explore the potential of next-generation virtual worlds to revolutionize society, presenting new opportunities and challenges that require global attention.
Hamad Al Mansoori, Global Chair of the Executive Committee for GIVW and Director General at Digital Dubai, emphasized the transformative power of the metaverse in enhancing human connections, learning, shopping, and entertainment. He highlighted the role of virtual worlds in improving public services and creating sustainable, futuristic cities worldwide.
By 2026, a quarter of the global population is expected to spend at least an hour daily in the metaverse. The integration of the metaverse could boost the US economy by $760 billion annually by 2035. The potential value added by the metaverse globally is estimated at five trillion. In the Middle East, the UAE leads in artificial intelligence.
Dubai’s Metaverse Strategy aims to establish one of the top ten metaverse economies, projecting a $4 billion economic impact by 2022. The strategy is set to generate over 40,000 new jobs in the next five years.
Cities as Innovation Hubs
Cities serve as hubs of innovation, fostering new ideas and advancements. The “Discovering The CitiVerse” initiative is a proactive step towards leveraging technology for societal benefit. By creating a network of interconnected virtual worlds, the initiative aims to utilize emerging technologies to enhance urban living globally.
The Promise of CitiVerse
The CitiVerse concept envisions a future where virtual worlds offer opportunities across various sectors such as urban planning, tourism, and education. Virtual reality can revolutionize urban planning by enabling city planners to visualize proposed developments in 3D, leading to informed decisions and better outcomes. Similarly, virtual tours can enhance the tourism industry by making travel more accessible. In education, virtual worlds can provide immersive learning experiences, improving student engagement.
Complex Challenges
While virtual worlds offer immense potential, they also pose challenges related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and digital equity. Safeguards must be implemented to protect user data, address cybersecurity threats, and ensure equitable access to these technologies.
Global Collaboration for a Better Future
The launch of GIVW highlights the importance of global collaboration in building safe and innovative virtual worlds. The focus is on developing normative frameworks to ensure responsible use of virtual worlds and fostering collaboration among cities to address challenges collectively.
Harnessing the Potential of Virtual Worlds
GIVW aims to develop frameworks for responsible virtual world use, provide training, and create a sandbox environment for cities to experiment with virtual world scenarios. By understanding the intersection of technology, societal trends, and economic factors, GIVW seeks to maximize the benefits of virtual worlds for all.
Looking Ahead
As we embrace the era of the Metaverse, governments must prepare for the opportunities and challenges it presents. By harnessing the potential of virtual worlds, we can work towards sustainable development globally.
Mansoori expressed gratitude to UN partners for their support in ensuring that virtual worlds contribute to the prosperity of communities worldwide. Through collaborative efforts, a more connected world can be built.
Key Pillars of the GIVW
The GIVW operates under three key pillars:
- Bringing Virtual Worlds to Life: Developing strategic guidance, ensuring security and trust, raising awareness, and evaluating the impact of virtual world solutions.
- Connecting Cities with the Virtual and Real Worlds: Exploring emerging technologies, identifying use cases, providing a sandbox facility, creating educational toolkits, and offering annual training.
- Tunneling the CitiVerse: Establishing a global network, encouraging innovation through challenges, fostering talent development, and hosting annual assemblies for knowledge sharing.
By focusing on these pillars, GIVW aims to unlock the full potential of virtual worlds to enhance public service delivery, resource optimization, and citizen participation.