WEF – Industrial Metaverse, 2023

The World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Cyber-Human Lab at the University of Cambridge have collaborated to create a roadmap for the development of the industrial metaverse. This metaverse is a combination of digital and physical spaces, made possible by advancements in extended reality technology, artificial intelligence, and 3D modelling. Currently, industry professionals are testing pilot use cases to understand the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of integrating digital and physical spaces. The focus is on ensuring strategies and governance mechanisms that promote interoperability and an open platform across industries. The roadmap aims to shed light on the complex dynamics of the industrial metaverse and provide a framework for stakeholders to navigate the necessary steps towards creating a valuable ecosystem. The potential to integrate different use cases into a single industrial metaverse in the next decade is clear. However, the realization of this potential depends on collaborative efforts between industry, governments, academia, and civil society. Overall, the WEF's roadmap highlights the importance of bringing together various stakeholders to harness the full potential of the industrial metaverse and create a future where digital and physical realms are seamlessly intertwined.