Why we must solve today's digital challenges before creating tomorrow's metaverse

Hardware and software innovations alike are creating more possibilities than ever for new immersive experiences. And the manifestation of these experiences can already be seen in operating rooms where surgeons conduct AR-assisted procedures, or in classrooms where teachers guide immersive educational trips to Mars and the ancient tombs of Egypt.

Alongside all the devastation COVID-19 has brought to our lives, it has unquestionably accelerated digital innovation. However, while the pace of innovation – and the potential of a metaverse – are full of possibilities, the promise of the metaverse will not be realized until we first solve the foundational challenges of today’s digital experiences. Racing forward without doing so risks hamstringing our digital future with some of the same problems that are plaguing us today.

So, before we get too excited about what lies ahead tomorrow, let’s focus on finding the right solutions to the three major challenges we’re facing today:

We still have no way of knowing who we can trust online or how to distinguish real identities from fake ones, so we can keep bad actors out of our digital lives. Until we do, we will continue to see too much harassment, bullying, racism, manipulation, and cybercrime. And all of this will hold back the Web 3.0.

While some are dreaming of digital utopias, the stark reality is that more than half the world still does not have quality internet access. And even in places where we do have internet access, there remain significant disparities in how people show up in the digital world based on the quality of their audio and video. Just think of the average hybrid office meeting where the gap between people in a meeting room and those on video is enormous. We are meant to call this the new normal, but there is little normal about it. Additionally, technology has not yet meaningfully addressed inclusion in digital experiences. Take education. Why are virtual classrooms not more engaging for everyone involved? Why is technology not playing a more significant role in making sure everyone can participate equally – including students from less privileged backgrounds?

Web technology is a world of knowledge haves and have-nots. The have-nots are restricted to the shimmering surface, letting intermediaries manage, curate, and monetize their digital experiences and feeds. They struggle with the cost and complexity of digital technologies and lack the skills to dig deeper. On the other hand, the “haves” know how to understand, control, and manipulate these digital experiences to their economic advantage, using inscrutable algorithms and black box technology. This gap was already large with Web 2.0, and it stands to become insurmountably large with Web 3.0.

We are creating innovation in identity, reputation, and trust, all essential aspects of a digital world – and all foundational components of the products and services we build today. Trust and security will be crucial in the metaverse, and there should be no tradeoffs, no compromises.

There are also interesting opportunities in payments, digital currencies, and blockchain technologies that will be essential for buying and selling digital assets, along with virtual platforms as well as computer and networking infrastructure.

Hardware—both PCs and XR devices—will continue to play a vital role. Innovation in equipment is already allowing creators to collaborate simultaneously in shared virtual experiences across geographies. After all, the metaverse is about far more than entertainment and leisure. Companies will continue to evolve their approach to the way teams work together with hybrid work increasingly blending physical and immersive digital experiences.

And while we address these challenges on the bleeding edge of technology, we must work even more urgently to solve the most basic of digital needs.

Throughout my career, I’ve been inspired by the idea that technology can create a better and more inclusive world. However, it’s up to innovators to focus on the immediate and urgent needs of better, seamless, and inclusive solutions to ensure that whatever we build tomorrow has a foundation rooted in what is good for humanity. Together, let’s keep digital trust, digital equity, and digital capacity at the top of our agendas – and let’s bring to the challenges of today the same passion and unbridled innovation we bring to the opportunities of tomorrow.