Governments are not always quick to respond when it comes to introducing new technologies. However, I have seen some interesting examples of governments showing up in the metaverse and embracing metaverse-related technologies such as virtual reality and digital twins. Here are four ways local and central governments can take advantage of the metaverse.

1. Establishment of Metaverse Embassies and Government Offices

Immersive metaverse platforms such as Decentraland and Roblox already include shops, concert arenas, galleries and even casinos. So why shouldn’t the Metaverse also have an embassy or government agency? doing.

Elsewhere, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Economy has opened its own headquarters in the Metaverse, describing the digital world as a “third address” (after two physical offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai). . A virtual headquarters takes the form of a skyscraper, with each floor offering different functions, including virtual meeting spaces and meeting rooms. Visitors to the virtual headquarters will receive a ticket upon arrival and a government employee will be invited to join the Metaverse. But what can visitors do at the virtual headquarters? It is said that it will be gone.

2. Creation of digital twins of cities and public systems

Digital twins are already used to model all kinds of objects, systems and processes, especially in the world of manufacturing. In a government context, the same technology can be used to model public transport systems, parking availability, traffic flow, energy usage, waste management, security, and more. In other words, the digital twin will be a valuable tool for urban planning, allowing authorities to accurately map city services and enhance public services based on data collected in the real world.

This is essentially related to the concept of: smart city – Cities that leverage data and innovative technologies (artificial intelligence, digital twins, internet of things, etc.) to increase efficiency and improve the lives of their residents. Digital twins are important in any city’s digital transformation as they allow authorities to analyze what is happening in the city in real time and try different solutions on the digital replica before making changes to the physical world. can play a role.

Shanghai is a good example of a digital twin city. The digital version of the city models 100,000 elements, including road traffic, apartment block sizes and locations, and e-bike charging infrastructure. This model is used to plan public services, but it can also be used to simulate the effects of natural disasters such as floods to aid response planning.

However, digital twins are not only useful for planning and forecasting, they can also be used to create digital replicas of cities (or other environments) within the metaverse for leisure and tourism purposes. A place where people from all over the world can visit and enjoy using VR headsets. In 2022, Dubai authorities announced plans to create a digital twin city for Dubai, a virtual Dubai where residents and tourists alike can explore the city’s many treasures. Is it possible that the Metaverse could have a digital twin of your hometown in the future?

3. Military Adoption of Metaverse Technology

Defense is a big part of most government budgets, so the potential military use of Metaverse technology cannot be overlooked. For the most part, this focuses on using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to enhance both military training and field operations.

For example, in training, the US Navy tested an AR platform called TRACER (formally known as Tacally Reconfigurable Artificial Combat Enhanced Reality) at the Security Forces Center in North Carolina. The system is built primarily using off-the-shelf game gear and simulated weapons that deliver realistic recoil, allowing trainers to create different training his scenarios that can be superimposed on real-life settings. can.

On the other hand, augmented reality and hybrid reality solutions are more useful than virtual reality in operational situations. (You can’t really expect a soldier to walk around in his VR headset during combat.) In 2020, the U.S. Army will have his 40,000 pairs of mixed reality goggles (the 10% of his soldiers equipped with them). announced that it would invest in Derived from Microsoft’s HoloLens technology, IVAS (Integrated Visual Augmentation System) goggles display critical information and are designed to help military forces identify enemy forces and make decisions faster. Additionally, the goggles are equipped with thermal and low-light sensors to enhance the wearer’s visibility in the dark. A very important aspect of such systems is that they are much more intuitive and easier to use than, for example, handheld systems, which can be distracting to the user.

4. Metaverse legislation

Whether or not they actively adopt Metaverse technology, governments cannot ignore the potential impact of the Metaverse on society. As people spend more and more time in immersive virtual spaces, it’s clear that the Metaverse will change fundamental aspects of everyday life. As the Metaverse evolves, so will how we use our time, how we work, how we spend our money, and where we live. So at least governments should consider legislating what happens in the Metaverse. For example, what constitutes crime in the metaverse, and under what jurisdiction does the virtual space fall?

Read more about these topics in my new book, The Internet of the Future: How the Metaverse, Web 3.0 and Blockchain Will Transform Business and Society. don’t forget to subscribe my newsletter and follow me twitter, LinkedInand YouTube Learn more about future trends in business and technology here.