Benefits and challenges of the immersive realities | IGF 2023 Open Forum #20

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The metaverse and immersive technology have the potential to revolutionise connections among children. Research conducted with UNICEF suggests that social connection plays a vital role in child well-being online, and the metaverse has the capability to enhance this through its connectivity and personalisation features.

Avatars and identity in the metaverse enable children to establish unique connections and interact with others in ways that were previously unimaginable. This incredible connectivity has the power to bridge distance and cultural barriers, fostering a global community of children.

Furthermore, the metaverse and digital platforms like Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite provide children with an avenue to express and enhance their creativity.

These platforms allow children to build imaginative worlds and engage with various forms of artistic expression. Improved technology, interconnectivity, and layered services within the metaverse amplify the creative potential for children, allowing them to develop their creative skills and explore their unique talents.

In addition to fostering social connections and creativity, the metaverse empowers children by enabling them to build their online identity.

A strong sense of identity is fundamental to a child’s personal development, and the metaverse provides a digital space for children to shape and express their identity. By creating and managing their online presence, children can gain a sense of confidence, autonomy, and empowerment.

However, it is important to implement the metaverse in a responsible and considered manner, particularly when it comes to children.

The potential risks and harms associated with the metaverse necessitate the establishment of high safety standards and responsible design. A collective approach by all stakeholders is essential to address the interconnected and interoperable nature of the metaverse. By ensuring robust safety measures and responsible design, a kid-friendly ecosystem can be created within the metaverse, safeguarding the well-being and protection of children.

Regulation and legislation are key aspects of addressing the challenges and issues in the metaverse.

The development of regulatory frameworks and the resolution of existing problems from Web 2.0 platforms are crucial to ensuring a safe and secure metaverse environment. By learning from the experiences and responses to Web 2.0, it is possible to establish effective measures that protect children’s rights and well-being in the metaverse.

Furthermore, it is important to observe and evaluate the evolution of current Web 2.0 regulations and cultural responses.

This ongoing assessment will provide valuable insights and guidance in handling the challenges and implications of the metaverse. By learning from the past, we can adapt and develop appropriate strategies and policies to shape a responsible and inclusive metaverse for future generations.

Lego, a prominent advocate for child safety, is committed to creating kid-friendly environments in and beyond the metaverse.

Lego emphasises the importance of high safety standards and aims to establish a truly immersive ecosystem that prioritises children’s well-being and protection. Their dedication acts as an example and encourages others to join in implementing stringent safety measures and creating a child-friendly metaverse.

In conclusion, the metaverse and immersive technology have the potential to revolutionise connections among children, foster creativity, and empower them.

However, responsible and considered implementation is crucial to mitigate potential risks and ensure the well-being of children. Regulation, safety standards, and observing the evolution of Web 2.0 regulations are vital aspects in handling the challenges of the metaverse. By establishing a collaborative and proactive approach, a safe and inclusive environment can be created, where children can explore, learn, and connect in the metaverse.

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During the discussion, the speakers expressed concerns about the potential access to comprehensive biometric details in the virtual realms. Users’ immersion into these realms could enable the collection of biometric data such as eye tracking, brain activity, and heart rate.

Nina Jane Patel specifically raised concerns about this potential breach of privacy and advocated for the need for regulation and governance on such intimate data in the metaverse. There is a perceived risk of individuals’ biometric data being misused in this virtual environment, highlighting the importance of safeguarding privacy and ensuring data protection.

Another concern raised during the discussion was the impact of immersive technologies on privacy, freedom of conscience, and psychophysical integrity.

The speaker from Poland had different considerations regarding privacy and freedom of conscience in the face of these technologies. It was acknowledged that there are technical challenges involved in maintaining the psychophysical integrity of individuals and protecting their freedom of conscience within immersive environments.

The speaker’s suggestion was to focus on developing technical solutions to handle these issues.

Content moderation in the metaverse was also a topic of concern. The Clinical Executive Director of the UCLA Institute for Technology Law and Policy highlighted the lack of effective tools for moderating content at scale in these new technologies.

The current standards that exist for traditional social media platforms cannot be effectively followed in the metaverse. This raises questions about maintaining safety and regulating content in this evolving virtual space.

Furthermore, it was noted that the impacts of the metaverse will vary based on socioeconomic and geographical disparities.

Steve Fosley from UNICEF pointed out that the cost of metaverse technology, such as VR headsets, could be prohibitive for some individuals. Not everyone will have the same quality of access to these technologies, and some may interact with artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse in less immersive and sophisticated ways.

This highlights the potential for increased inequalities based on access and resources.

Overall, the discussion highlighted concerns about the access and misuse of biometric data, the need for governance and regulation in the metaverse, the impact of immersive technologies on privacy and freedom of conscience, the lack of effective content moderation tools, and the potential for disparities in the metaverse based on socioeconomic and geographical factors.

The analysis provides valuable insights into the challenges and considerations surrounding the development and implementation of these emerging technologies.

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This analysis explores various topics related to virtual reality, immersive realities, digital twins, partnerships, and ethics. Clara Neppel, a prominent figure in this field, emphasizes the importance of architecting virtual reality in a way that encourages happiness and well-being. She believes that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary, involving not only technologists but also individuals with different perspectives such as ethics and social sciences.

Immersive realities, as highlighted in the analysis, contribute to safer flights through extensive pilot training.

By allowing pilots to undergo training in immersive simulated environments, they can effectively manage challenging situations and improve their skills.

The analysis also discusses the role of generative AI in revolutionising design, particularly in the automotive industry. Immersive realities are used for testing designs, enabling designers to envision and evaluate various possibilities before implementing them in the physical world.

Digital twins, virtual replicas of cities or ourselves, play a crucial role in achieving goals related to climate and sustainable cities.

By creating accurate digital representations, cities can better understand and address environmental challenges. Digital twins also offer opportunities to improve inclusive health and education by providing insights and personalised approaches to healthcare and learning.

Partnerships are highlighted as essential in achieving common goals.

Collaboration among various stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, and private sector entities, is crucial for addressing complex challenges and advancing sustainable development.

Virtual reality is shown as a tool to help citizens understand the full impact of measures related to climate change.

By creating simulated experiences, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the consequences of their actions and make more informed decisions.

However, the analysis also points out that immersive realities and the metaverse introduce ethical challenges and issues.

Concerns such as privacy, data protection, safety, and security need to be carefully addressed to ensure the responsible and ethical use of these technologies.

The governance of virtual spaces, including the metaverse, is highlighted as an area that requires a new system.

Discussions are already underway regarding who should control the code and the resulting services. The concept of co-creation of infrastructure and its implications for ownership are also discussed.

The analysis raises concerns about the potential privacy issues that may arise with the omnipresence of technology in the future.

It emphasizes the need to carefully navigate the balance between technological advancements and individual privacy rights.

Safety and interoperability of regulations are identified as major concerns in the deployment of AI solutions in various sectors. Poorly designed AI systems can have real impacts on individuals, particularly in the field of healthcare.

Therefore, ensuring safety becomes paramount in discussions surrounding AI deployment.

The analysis emphasizes the need for interoperability of regulations through the establishment of global standards. These standards operationalise regulations and move from mere guiding principles to practical implementation.

A combined top-down and bottom-up approach is identified as crucial in developing a comprehensive framework.

This approach involves considering the perspectives of both regulatory bodies and grassroots initiatives. The work of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) on ethically aligned design initiatives is cited as an example of a bottom-up approach.

Content moderation, both in terms of public and private control, is highlighted as a major point of discussion.

Clara Neppel believes that this topic lies at the heart of discussions within the International Governance Forum.

Additionally, the importance of anonymity in exercising citizen rights is stressed. Anonymity provides individuals with the freedom to express themselves without fear of repercussions and plays a vital role in maintaining a balanced and inclusive society.

In conclusion, this analysis showcases the wide array of topics surrounding virtual reality, immersive realities, digital twins, partnerships, and ethics.

It highlights the need for comprehensive approaches and collaborations to tackle the challenges and harness the potential of these technologies in a responsible and beneficial manner.

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The concept of the metaverse, which was first introduced by Neal Stephenson in a sci-fi novel three decades ago, refers to a digital universe that could exist either alongside or as an extension of our current reality. It has garnered significant interest in the field of digital technology and is seen as the next phase of digital transformation.

Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a crucial role in the development of the metaverse, along with other technologies such as extended senses and actions (XR or spatial computing), persistent virtual worlds (persistent computing), and digital finance and economy (consensus computing).

These core technologies, combined with supporting technologies like computation, storage, communications, networking, data, knowledge, and intelligence, are necessary components for creating the metaverse.

The metaverse is believed to have the potential to become the next version of the internet, redefining production and life in the process.

It is seen as the natural progression from the current “intelligentization” phase, which is characterized by the rise of AI.

Hugh, in particular, holds the view that the metaverse is the next major advancement in digital transformation. He predicts that it will have a profound impact on various aspects of society, revolutionizing production methods and reshaping daily life.

Overall, the metaverse, with its integration of AI and technological advancements, presents exciting possibilities for the future.

It is poised to bring about a new era in digital transformation that will have wide-reaching effects. As discussions around the metaverse continue, it will be interesting to see how these ideas evolve and shape the digital landscape in the coming years.

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The increasing use of virtual realms has opened up new possibilities for accessing biometric data, including eye tracking, brain activity, and heart rate. This wealth of information has necessitated a rethink of privacy in response to this emerging technology. Experts have recognized the need to address the potential implications and consequences of such data collection.

One suggested solution is the introduction of “neural rights.” In fact, Chile has already incorporated neural rights into its constitution, demonstrating a growing recognition of the need to protect individuals’ rights and data in the context of advancing virtual realms.

Not only do individuals directly involved in virtual experiences require protection, but the concept of bystander privacy is also a concern.

Bystander privacy refers to the privacy of those who may be indirectly captured or impacted by data collection, such as other individuals in the same room as a virtual reality user. Addressing this issue is crucial to ensure the protection and respect of personal privacy in all aspects of virtual realm usage.

When it comes to data governance, experts are divided on the best approach.

Some propose self-regulation principles, where individuals, organizations, and industries voluntarily adhere to established guidelines and standards. Others suggest the reinterpretation of existing laws to adapt to the challenges posed by virtual realms. Lastly, the introduction of new laws is also considered a potential avenue for regulating biometric data and ensuring ethical practices.

In conclusion, the growing immersion into virtual realms and the accessibility of biometric data have raised important discussions regarding privacy and data governance.

The concept of neural rights has emerged as a potential solution, and bystander privacy is also of significant concern. The best path for data governance remains a topic of debate, with options ranging from self-regulation to the introduction of new legislation.

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The Metaverse, with a potential market size of up to 13 trillion USD, is undergoing rapid adoption in various sectors. Governments, educational institutions, and retail businesses are among those embracing this concept. Cities and countries are implementing digital twin strategies, while industries like manufacturing are creating digital twins for their operations.

Education and healthcare sectors are also driving the adoption of Metaverse technologies. However, concerns about employment, behavioural addiction, environmental impact, cultural representation, and the need for effective governance have been raised. Collaboration, transparency, and careful consideration of social and ethical implications are crucial in harnessing the full potential of the Metaverse while mitigating risks.

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The Council of Europe is actively examining the impact of new technological developments, such as AI and immersive realities, on human rights, the rule of law, and democracy. They recognize the importance of ensuring that these advancements uphold these fundamental values.

To achieve this, the Council is partnering with IEEE to study the metaverse and its potential impact on human rights.

Guiding the development of the metaverse, the Council of Europe emphasizes the need for clear benchmarks that uphold human rights principles.

They also highlight the importance of transparency, accountability, and the protection of digital rights within this emerging technology. Additionally, they stress the significance of involving multiple stakeholders, including the technical community, civil society, businesses, and academics, in decision-making processes regarding the metaverse.

Regarding immersive realities, concerns arise about the ethical decision-making process within private businesses.

The Council of Europe acknowledges the risks posed by allowing private businesses to solely determine the development of immersive technologies, and calls for a more inclusive approach involving various stakeholders.

The Council also addresses the implications of immersive realities on privacy, with the collection of new forms of data like biometric and psychographic information.

They highlight the potential for issues such as misinformation, disinformation, and freedom of expression. They also emphasize the need for inclusive access to immersive realities, particularly in light of the digital divide exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In terms of governance principles, the Council of Europe has worked on data protection, cybercrime, and artificial intelligence.

They are currently identifying ethical principles and existing legislation relevant to the metaverse, as well as addressing any gaps that need to be filled. They also express concerns about the influence of technology on human thought processes and freedom of conscience, stressing the need for careful consideration of these aspects.

In conclusion, the Council of Europe’s work on the impact of new technological developments on human rights, the rule of law, and democracy reflects their commitment to ensuring that these advancements align with fundamental values.

Their partnership with IEEE to study the metaverse is a significant step in this direction. The Council emphasizes transparency, accountability, digital rights protection, and multi-stakeholder involvement. They are actively addressing privacy concerns, combating misinformation, and promoting inclusive access to immersive technologies, all while upholding human rights and societal values.