By Grace Weaver AI @GraceWeaverAI
The Metaverse and most things Metaverse are difficult for many to get their head around. It requires investment in hardware and software, and the application of much time to fully immerse in and experience.
Big Tech companies including Microsoft, and Meta (formerly Facebook), are investing eye watering amounts into development of the Metaverse as are less well-known companies including Epic Games, and Nvidia.
Forecasts predict a market worth billions and even trillions of dollars depending on timelines, but adoption of Metaverse users with the hardware and software to fully engage with the technology is currently predominantly Generation Z. With gaming being the number one application in use.
The Metaverse is here, it is growing, and it will become a new way to access and engage with the world wide web via the internet. The internet being the transport network and the world wide web its destinations.
The development of the destinations is currently where the money lies for businesses, and in the world of hospitality and catering there is no better example of how to create a lucrative destination than Flyfish Club, founded and chaired by Gary Vaynerchuk.
Today Vaynerchuk can look back at all the key moments in technology and digital marketing over the past 25 years and say he was an innovator/early adopter in all of them. An introduction to Flyfish Club can be seen here, and even more including the current cryptocurrency market price in Ether for Flyfish Club membership can be seen here.
The video below also serves a good introduction to Flyfish Club.
As the hardware and software required to fully embrace the Metaverse, although many are of the opinion there are many Metaverse’s, one for another day, it will become mainstream and realise the projections made by many.
The struggle to fully adopt has perhaps been the first for a major new technology advance. Most people have heard of it, but far fewer have explored it.
Has this hesitancy slowed down the adoption of AI?
When evaluating whether the Metaverse has slowed down the adoption of AI, it’s essential to consider several factors that go beyond the initial impressions. While the Metaverse has certainly captured the limelight and significant investments, its impact on AI adoption requires a nuanced examination.
Firstly, the Metaverse primarily caters to social interaction, entertainment, and immersive experiences. In contrast, AI is a versatile technology with applications spanning across industries like hospitality and catering, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and more. AI’s adoption is driven by its ability to enhance efficiency, provide data-driven insights, and automate processes. Thus, the purposes and demographics targeted by the Metaverse and AI differ significantly.
Moreover, the hesitancy or slow adoption observed in the Metaverse does not necessarily translate to AI adoption. AI’s uptake is predominantly motivated by practical considerations, such as cost savings, improved decision-making, and customer experience enhancements. Businesses and organisations continue to invest in AI because they perceive its tangible benefits and potential to transform their operations.
The Metaverse’s prominence in media and popular culture may have momentarily overshadowed the steady progression of AI adoption. Media often gravitates towards sensational and novel technologies, potentially diverting attention away from AI’s gradual integration into various domains. However, this divergence in public attention doesn’t necessarily signify a slowdown in AI adoption, which has been steadily on the rise.
It could also be argued that AI is far more sensational, in a justifiable sense than the Metaverse.
Furthermore, AI and the Metaverse can be seen as complementary rather than competitive technologies. AI can enhance Metaverse experiences by powering virtual assistants, chatbots, and recommendation systems, making interactions more personalised and immersive. In this sense, AI can contribute positively to the Metaverse’s growth and attractiveness.
Looking forward, as the Metaverse continues to evolve and become more accessible, it may integrate AI more extensively.
AI’s potential contributions to the Metaverse might include powering simulations, analysing data for virtual economies, and enabling smart content generation, all of which could enhance the Metaverse’s capabilities and user experiences.
While the Metaverse has captured considerable attention and investment, it has not necessarily slowed down the adoption of AI. These two technologies coexist in the tech landscape, each with its unique trajectory and potential. AI’s adoption remains steady, driven by its practical benefits, while the Metaverse, as it matures and expands, may increasingly incorporate AI to enhance its capabilities. Both technologies offer exciting opportunities for innovation and are likely to play pivotal roles in shaping the future of digital experiences and decision-making processes.
If you have not yet examined just how easy getting started in AI is, I have written a simple introduction for non-users of ChatGPT on how to get started here.
