Meta is investing $2.5 million to support independent academic research in France and Europe to study the opportunities and challenges in the metaverse.

• Meta supports independent academic research in Europe, including France.
• Academics and professionals from seven European countries, including France, will explore how metaverse technologies interact with privacy, security, access and the future of work.
• In France, Meta will support two research programs led by the Department of Management and Regulation at Paris Dauphine University and the Renaissance Numérique think tank.

Meta today announces a $2.5 million investment to support independent academic research in Europe to study the challenges and opportunities of the metaverse. through XR Research and Programs Fund* (augmented reality), scientists and experts from seven European countries will explore how metaverse technologies interact with privacy, security, access and the future of work.

It will support two independent research projects carried out by Meta in France Department of Management and Regulation of the University of Paris Dauphine | PSL and by the think tank The Digital Renaissance :

• Researchers from the Department of Management and Regulation of the University of Paris Dauphine | PSL will identify and study the economic and social challenges of the metaverse and their implications in terms of regulatory framework and governance.
• Renaissance Numérique will organize a series of workshops with European and international experts to discuss both the opportunities offered by the emergence of the metaverse in a user-centered approach and the potential social, economic and legal challenges of its widespread adoption.

for Eric Brousseau, Professor of Economics and Management, Academic Director of the Department of Management and Regulation” The European Union is currently developing a number of laws to protect its democratic values ​​and fundamental rights in the digital space. Through an in-depth analysis of the challenges raised by the metaverse in terms of identity and privacy, property rights, individual and collective security, openness and competition, we intend to highlight the potentially necessary adjustments of the European framework as well as the initiatives that should be adopted in terms of governance by the actors involved in the development of the metaverse.

for Nicolas Vanbremeersch, president of Renaissance Numérique, “With Metaverse Dialogues, Renaissance Numérique intends to deconstruct the myths surrounding the development of the metaverse and anticipate the economic, legal and social issues it raises today. With the support of Meta and the active collaboration of academics, experts and civil society representatives, through an international, multi-dimensional and multi-faceted approach, this independent initiative will contribute to feeding the public debate around the metaverse, while providing their point of view. users are placed at the center of discussions”.

The Metaverse has the potential to transform how people connect and how businesses grow, leading to social experiences that are more intimate than anything that exists today. But the technologies that make the metaverse possible must be inclusive, and users must feel safe to use them. Since no one company will own and operate the metaverse, cooperation and collaboration will be required.

according to Anton Maria Battesti, Public Relations Director of Meta France, “Metaverse is not a single product, it will be built by companies big and small, civil society and millions of creators. This is why such partnerships are crucial, with experts from the Department of Management and Regulation at Paris Dauphine University and Renaissance Numérique studying these important questions about how these new technologies are built at an early stage. We want to ensure that enthusiasm for the metaverse and its potential is matched by a strong focus on its collaborative and responsible development.”

In collaboration with the Department of Management and Regulation of the University of Paris Dauphine and the Renaissance Numérique think tank in France, Meta supports the research of the following European scientists and institutions as part of this program:

• Professor Dr. And Matthias QuentMagdeburg-Stendhal University of Applied Sciences (Germany) will explore how democratic culture can work in immersive environments and explore the civilized design of social spaces.
• L’Polytechnic of Milan (Italy) will study the economic impact and social value of the metaverse for individuals and societies, using Italy and its economy as a case study.
• L’Poznan University of Technology (Poland) will focus on the development of augmented reality and other technologies that can improve the quality of life of people at risk of social exclusion due to age, health or family situation.
• Get up (Sweden) will work on two topics related to the metaverse. The institute will focus on the global computing and communications infrastructure that powers the metaverse in the context of sustainable and resource-efficient technology solutions. It will also study the basic needs necessary for Sweden to adopt a national program of immersive education.
• L’University of Alicante (Spain) will create an Academic Chair on Legal and Ethical Aspects of the Metaverse to assess whether the existing legal framework provides adequate protection and support for people in the development of their economic activities.
• L’Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (Netherlands) will focus on the future of business. Dr. to this study. Omar Aziz Niamut and Dr. Led by Sylvie Dijkstra-Soudarissanene, they will assess whether new technologies such as social augmented reality can reduce the downsides of remote work. The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research is an independent research organization whose aim is to develop innovative solutions that improve the competitiveness of industry and the well-being of society.
• We will collaborate with virtual reality researcher Mel Slater, who will facilitate the exchange of ideas between these Meta-enabled organizations to promote interdisciplinary dialogue on the metaverse in Europe.

The XR Research and Programs Foundation supports international foreign programs and research on the responsible construction of the metaverse. Through this foundation, Meta works with industry partners, civil rights groups, governments, nonprofits, and academic institutions to help identify risks and opportunities in the metaverse. Its current European partners include, among others, Women in Immersive Technology supporting women and underrepresented groups in the augmented reality and mixed reality industries and Youth Bureau aiming to make the voice of the youth heard in the development of the metaverse.

*”XR Programs and Research Foundation” in English

***

About the Department of Management and Regulation at Paris Dauphine University:

Department of Management and Regulation of the University of Paris Dauphine | PSL is a platform that brings together academics, industry experts and public decision-makers to explore the economic, technical, organizational and institutional challenges faced by the various players involved in the governance of markets and industries. It develops academic research, training programs and promotes dialogue between stakeholders to inform public decision-making, industry strategies and citizens.

About the Digital Renaissance:

Renaissance Numérique is an independent think tank dedicated to the digital transformation of society. It sheds light on the changes brought about by this transformation and tries to give everyone the keys to their own mastery. To fulfill this mission, Renaissance Numérique proposes to be a place of positive confrontation of discussions, ideas and experiences. It brings together academics, leading experts, NGOs, companies representing a wide variety of actors and viewpoints in the digital sector. Its reflections, widely shared and disseminated through written contributions, publications or events, are brought to the attention of public and private actors at the French, European and international levels. Renaissance Numérique Arcom is a member of the organizing committee of the Hate Observatory piloted by the Audiovisual and Digital Communications Regulatory Authority and the French chapter of the Internet Governance Forum (FGI).