The first followers are saying it: it’s time to join the Metaverse. Researchers estimate that by 2026, one in four of us will spend at least an hour a day there for work, shopping, training, socializing or entertainment.
But for most of us, this alternative digital world remains a mystery. It is basically a computer-generated extended reality that includes all augmented reality, mixed reality and virtual reality environments. Currently it consists of spaces where people and autonomous entities interact.
The value of the global Metaverse market over the next 15 years is estimated to be between $10,000 and $30,000 billion. The potential promises to be significant and Dubai in particular intends to exploit it to become a world leader in this new field.
National Strategy
The specific strategy for 2030 aims to increase the sector’s contribution to its economy to €4 billion and create 42,000 virtual jobs. The goal is to implement Metaverse technologies that can help improve the performance of local surgeons by 230% and increase the productivity of engineers by 30%.
Big technology companies like Apple, Google, Meta Platforms – formerly Facebook – and Microsoft are developing the technologies that will shape the future of the Metaverse. MasterCard is also following the trend. The annual Digital Payments Index report shows that consumers are ready to adapt to this development.
JK Khalil, general manager for the Eastern Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, says data from his group shows a 67% growth in digital payments. “If we add the Metaverse to this kind of matrix, to this ecosystem, it will create even more opportunities, so it’s very important to participate in that.” he says. “Our partners, whether fintech, retail or banks, are all excited about the Metaverse and are interested in constructive discussions about future partnerships.” he indicates.
New business models
Scopernia is a Dubai-based company that helps brands and organizations understand and capitalize on new technologies such as Web3.
“The forms of Metaverse that are interesting today are the ones where you can own things,” says Jérémy Denisty, general manager MENA within this company. “So we create something and it’s up to us; we buy a shirt for our avatar and we can resell it to someone or if you want to acquire land you can buy it and then resell it,” he specifies.
“It completely changes the way the economy works in the virtual world: it means new ways for people to invest and create business models,” he continues. “So of course it is necessary to have a strategy in this area and it concerns all of us, you and me as individuals, but also organizations: it opens up a whole field of possibilities”, he makes clear.
“The Internet of the 90s”
Based in the Emirate, Briar Prestidge is CEO and Founder of Prestidge Group. She, too, bets on the Metaverse. She compares it to the internet of the 1990s. She recently spent 48 hours in this alternative world to find out what forms it takes and how brands are present in it.
“For me, Web3 and the Metaverse are just an extension of the Internet. In my opinion, all businesses will move to Web3. I encourage everyone to stay curious and be a part of it,” she assures. “I wanted to apply my own principles, so I decided to launch one of the first Emirati virtual NFT collections for avatars, derived from the pieces of my label Briar Prestidge and presented at the world’s first Metaverse Fashion Week,” observed the young woman.
Earlier this year, Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority became the world’s first regulator to provide a framework for financial entities to operate in the Metaverse, illustrating the emirate’s ambition to become a key to this digital world.