Session
Center for Global IT Cooperation
David Otujor Okpatuma, Friends for Leadership, Intergovernmental organization, African Group Alim Khapov, Center for Global IT Cooperation, Civil Society, Eastern European Group Alena Yudina, EmTech Metaverse and Quantum Leap Strategy, Private Sector, WEOG
Daniil Mazurin, Apollo42 (social NFT marketplace), Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group Yuri Lindre, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Technical Community, Eastern European Group Umirbek Abdullaev, Mountain Hub, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group
Alena Yudina
David Otujor Okpatuma
Alim Khapov
Targets: The widespread adoption of Metaverse-enabling technologies has far-reaching implications that require the engagement of various sectors in dialogue to establish a fair and just regulatory framework (17.17). This is especially crucial for countries in the Global South, where these technologies have the potential to positively impact the lives of their populations (17.6, 17.7). Metaverse has the potential to exacerbate inequality, making it essential to establish a fair regulatory framework. What is more, integration of virtual reality and education might contribute to the reduction of the proportion of unemployed and uneducated young people (8.6) as well as ensure work opportunities for young people and persons with disabilities (8.5). However, it should be noted that sustainable development of metaverse-enabling technologies requires creation and maintenance of transparent institutions on all levels of Internet governance (16.6).
Birds of a Feather
The future of metaverses is a topic that has been generating a lot of buzz lately, especially in the context of recent news that major players like Meta, Microsoft, and Disney are reversing their bets on the metaverse development. In this networking session, we will explore the expediency of the development of metaverse-enabling technologies and discuss what is the potential future of virtual worlds. One of the key themes the attendees will focus on will be dedicated to the discussion of the reasons for recent behavior of big tech players, which are slowing down their efforts on the metaverse front. Discussion will aim to delve into the current state of metaverse development, including the technologies being used to create these immersive environments. Together with young members of the IT industry from CIS countries we will also discuss primary challenges facing the development of metaverse, such as scalability, interoperability, and regulation. Another thesis the session will try to elaborate on is that setbacks for the development of metaverse-enabling technologies by big tech present a unique opportunity for smaller independent players to step up and fill the void. Overall, this session promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of the future of metaverse. Whether you are an industry insider or simply curious about the potential of metaverse.
Session is designed to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants, we will use a variety of presentation formats, such as slideshows, videos, and live demonstrations during the discussion. Moreover we plan to use complementary online tools/platforms such as virtual whiteboards to increase interaction during the session and encourage active participation from both onsite and online attendees. All of these methods, including an active role of online moderator will allow attendees to share their thoughts and ideas in real-time, regardless of their location.
Report
The main topics raised during the discussion were the ethical aspects of transferring a person’s personality to the digital world, regulation of IT companies, as well as the technical possibilities for the development of metaverses.
Particular emphasis was also placed on one of the most controversial topics - the so-called “digital immortality”. The very structure of personality is under threat, since a person may eventually cease to understand whether he has a physical body and become aware of himself.
Metaverse enabling technologies can help economies of some countries, especially developing ones. For this reason, it is important to take into account the views of countries in the Global South on how the development of new technologies such as metaverses or VR should be regulated. Since they will have a direct impact on the people living in those states.
The speakers concluded that metaverses have both positive and negative sides, and there is still no unity in the expert community regarding their attitude towards this technology. However, the relevance of regulating metaverses will undoubtedly only grow.
Speakers of the session included the founder of the NFT marketplace Apollo42, Daniil Mazurin, and the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Church's Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media, Vakhtang Kipshidze.
The main topics raised during the discussion were the ethical aspects of transferring a person’s personality to the digital world, regulation of IT companies, as well as the technical possibilities for the development of metaverses.
“The Metaverse is a world created by a man who claims to be flawless. However, we, people of faith, believe that the real world still has its shortcomings, and accordingly, these imperfections will sooner or later also become part of the virtual space. Therefore, it is necessary to understand exactly what values we will transfer to metaverses from the real world,” Vakhtang Kipshidze spoke about the Church’s approaches to the phenomenon of virtual worlds.
He placed particular emphasis on one of the most controversial topics - the so-called “digital immortality”. The very structure of personality, in his opinion, is under threat, since a person may eventually cease to understand whether he has a physical body and become aware of himself. “Sometimes people become obsessed with metaverses, and this is a direct path to the violation of individual freedom, so obsessions must be fought together,” he concluded.
Daniil Mazurin suggested that metaverses in the future will help the economies of some countries, especially developing ones. For this reason, it is important to take into account the views of countries in the Global South on how the development of new technologies such as metaverses or VR should be regulated. Since they will have a direct impact on the people living in those states.
“The other problem with metaverses is the hardware. At the moment, in order for an ordinary user to get into the metaverse, it is necessary not only to have a powerful computer that can run the programmes, but also additional tools like VR glasses etc. For now, this is a very expensive and complex process, but in the near future this will, of course, change,” he stated.
The discussion received a lively response from the audience. A representative from the Pakistani tech community drew attention to the problem of regulating metaverses. The legal side of the issue is still in the so-called “gray zone”: the personal data of users of metaplatforms is not protected, which means their use can lead to the theft of a “digital avatar”. However, a representative of the European Union objected to this, saying that regulation actually already exists. However, it is not reflected in one specialized document, but is part of the general regulation of digital platforms: from protecting user data to the operation of recommender systems.
The speakers concluded that metaverses have both positive and negative sides, and there is still no unity in the expert community regarding the attitude towards this technology. However, the relevance of regulating metaverses will undoubtedly only grow.