Social right. The metaverse is stunning. With this other 3D world, permanent and above all interactive, you are really in your office, talking with your pixelated colleagues thanks to the mask (of half a kilo). And when Mark Zuckerberg, with his 2.8 billion Meta customers, talks about a revolution as important as the Internet, we listen.
But, on the side of Gafam (Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft), whose models are showing signs of running out of steam, we can clearly see the interest of moving to “Web 3”, this new computer generation. Ditto for manufacturers of ultra-high definition equipment, and cryptocurrencies, the central element in the long term.
The answer is less clear on the side of traditional companies: gadget or revolution? In virtual fashion stores, we are already snapping up pairs of “virtual” sneakers at 2,500 euros… And banks, insurance companies and merchants will have to follow their customers where they go. Their employees will therefore animate their avatar in the company from specific cabins at the head office, but also from their home: teleworking with virtual presence, prohibition of disconnection… and, sometimes, fear of children.
Costs that are anything but negligible
If the requested action is punctual, no problem of modifying the contract. But going full-time in the metaverse constitutes an upheaval in the contractual balance, which can therefore be refused. The three areas most affected by the possible development of the metaverse? Recruitment extended to the planet, first, with reciprocal demonstrations at 6,500 kilometers. And the avatar does not necessarily correspond to the person, the usual biases (age, sex, etc.) have less influence.
Next, communication: the metaverse abolishes geographic barriers, but also language barriers thanks to automatic translation into each individual’s language. What also interest the unions and the social and economic committee (CSE). But, in these two areas, the value for money compared to a good Zoom conference is not obvious.
Finally, training. From the surgeon to the maintenance, the interactive demonstrations of operations, with the same tools as in real life and the same (programmed) incidents, are extremely instructive.
But you have to know how to keep reason, because the ecological balance can be catastrophic. Beyond the all but negligible costs (500 fragile helmets at 400 euros, plus the purchase of overpriced square meters on Sandbox), should the avatar look like the physical person? Apart from very creative clothing or hair additions, nothing prevents a man from creating a female avatar or vice versa. As in real life, a code of good conduct can set the main lines.
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