Compared to two years ago, there is less interest in the metaverse among tech giants. The concept of virtual environments has not taken hold as some industry leaders hoped.according to wall street journal In a work titled “The Metaverse is Rapidly Changing to the Metaverse,” companies such as Disney Exclude Or we may downsize the Metaverse division.
However, in the Middle East, the Metaverse continues to be embraced with enthusiasm by governments.Israel Opens First Metaverse embassy in Korea. Saudi Arabia, The Sandbox, plan for long-term collaboration.Saudi Arabia also opened its first metaverse in the region school Provide training on new technologies.scholar opinion NEOM, a planned smart city in Tabuk, says it is building “the first metaverse that is actually a metaverse.”
In February 2023, global professional services company KPMG announced the establishment of a Center of Excellence (CoE) in Saudi Arabia with the aim of accelerating the adoption of the Metaverse not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the wider Middle East and North Africa region.
KPMG will continue to collaborate with a wide range of collections. supplier Includes Microsoft, Ericsson, and Metakey. Microsoft will be responsible for providing the game platform and infrastructure. Ericsson will leverage 5G technology and networks. Metakey is responsible for creating 3D objects.
Virtual tourism, services, etc.
Metaverse technology will transform the global competitiveness of companies, and Saudi Arabia embraces this vision. The Royal Commission for AlUla is spearheading this effort. announced A captivating metaverse experience. Users will now be able to virtually explore and interact with Hegra’s largest tomb, Lihyan’s Tomb, offering a unique glimpse into the country’s rich history.
Egypt has embraced the Metaverse Revolution, launch first called city Metatut, inspired by ancient civilizations, continues to attract millions of tourists each year. This virtual city celebrates the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb and combines elements of ancient Egyptian culture with futuristic touches.
In particular, the Metaverse Tunisia Summit will be held in 2022, highlighting the growing interest of the region in this technology.
Countries such as the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar have shown strong interest, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi being selected as the first global cities to launch in the country. Virtual world By Metaverse Holdings.
Various sectors are jumping on the Metaverse bandwagon. Qatar Airways has introduced kvass It provides a platform and provides customers with a virtual reality experience. Users will be able to explore the airline’s premium his check-in her area and tour the cabin of the aircraft, enhancing their travel experience.
Virgin Mobile Quotes safety Its position in the sandbox, which is the virtual game environment.
The UAE’s Thumbay Group aims to bring innovative healthcare solutions to the virtual realm, and the Ministry of Health and Prevention has set up a Customer Wellbeing Service Center within the Metaverse. In addition, the UAE Ministry of Economy has It was opened A third office in the Metaverse provides services such as consumer protection, trademark and patent services, and industrial design.
of collaboration The UAE, in partnership with Multiverse Labs and Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, has launched Sharjah Bath, the world’s first government-backed metaverse city. This ambitious project is characterized by “virtual transaction center” is used for official document processing and aims to promote the country’s digital economy and local tourism. The minister even announced that the UAE’s economic development was now measured using the Metaverse Gross Domestic Product (GMP) indicator, replacing the traditional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) indicator.
The arrival of digital authoritarianism
Elsewhere in the Middle East, digital technology adoption is booming despite access gaps. Countries like Yemen suffer from slow internet speeds and limited smartphone use, while wealthier Gulf Cooperation Council countries are ahead of the curve in adopting advanced technologies such as 5G. The Gulf states have quickly gained the status of the leading digital superpowers in the region.
However, during the World Economic Forum, the UAE’s artificial intelligence minister cautioned against the concept of “”.cyber murderin the metaverse. He called for international standards to ban such practices. But human rights activists have criticized the proposal as a covert attempt at censorship.
The emergence of digital totalitarianism also seems increasingly likely.Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the UAE may emerge line up It has strategic alliances with other formidable digital authoritarian superpowers, including China and Russia.
The stage is set for a high-stakes power struggle in the digital realm, and the rules of global power relations are being written in the Middle East. The debate over international standards for the Metaverse is likely to intensify as more countries and organizations grapple with the ethical and social implications of this emerging digital frontier.
[Naveed Ahsan edited this article.]
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Fair Observer.
