Five worthy reads is a regular column on five noteworthy items we have discovered while researching trending and timeless topics. This week, we explore the impending impact of the metaverse on the future (or now) of work and productivity.
Illustration by Akshaya Maheswaran
Imagine a world where you can work from anywhere, collaborate with colleagues from around the globe, and attend meetings in virtual reality (VR) conference rooms. No, this isn’t a scene from a sci-fi movie, it’s the future of work in the metaverse. For those of you who haven’t heard, the metaverse is like the Wild West of the internet: a fully immersive, interconnected virtual world. It’s about to shake up the way we work in a big way.
First of all, VR technology is going to change the game. With VR, employees will be able to work in a digital environment that is designed to be as realistic as possible. Imagine attending a virtual meeting with your colleagues and being able to see their virtual avatars sitting across from you, just like in the physical world. It’s like being in the same room without distractions (from your pets, kids, or that never-ending pile of laundry) and minus the awkward small talk about the weather.
But it’s not just about virtual meetings; the metaverse also has the potential to revolutionize remote work. With the ability to work in a virtual environment, remote workers won’t feel so disconnected from the team. Freelancers and remote workers will be able to access a metaverse and find a virtual office space or coworking space where they can connect with other professionals and build a network of contacts.
Here’s where things get really interesting: Blockchain technology is also getting in on the action. Blockchain is a decentralized, secure system for storing and sharing data and it could be used to create a secure, transparent system for managing and verifying identities, transactions, and other data within the metaverse. Think of a virtual world where you can conduct business transactions and other activities with complete trust and security, without the need for endless paperwork and bureaucracy. It’s like a dream come true for productivity enthusiasts.
However, with the potential for a virtual world comes potential problems. There are concerns about privacy, security, and intellectual property rights. Governments and stakeholders will need to address these legal and ethical implications of the metaverse to ensure that it is accessible, inclusive, and safe for everyone. What’s in store for the future of work with the metaverse looping in? Take a look at five worthy reads we gathered about this that might quench your curiosity or leave you with more unanswered questions.
1. How the Metaverse Could Change Work
The metaverse has the potential to offer new degrees of social connectivity, mobility, and cooperation through a virtual work environment. Additionally, it may substantially shorten the time required to learn new talents, revolutionizing training and skill development. In this article, you will discover the possibilities of the future of work that are enabled by the metaverse.
2. What Is The Business Impact Of The Metaverse?
In this article, the CEO of an immersive technology solutions company discusses the future in which we will be able to switch between worlds with ease, enhancing our ability to play, work, and communicate. She aspires to harness the metaverse to connect people. It seems lots of companies are learning how to create 3D virtual copies of their products.
3. Metaverse as future workplace triggers questions on privacy, safety & surveillance
Many of us wondered what could be done in this new digital realm called the metaverse, and Zuckerberg’s answer in October 2021 surprised us: work. From Meta’s partnership with Microsoft for virtual workspaces to privacy and safety concerns about bossware (software that lets employers track their employees’ every action), this article covers it all.
4. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in the Metaverse
This article covers the possible advantages and disadvantages that workers will face in the metaverse. Meta has invested a lot into building and buying the hardware and software it needs to bring its vision of a VR and augmented reality (AR) future to life, and this will make a big impact on how we work. But maybe the biggest challenge will be remembering to spend time in the real world, too, not just in the metaverse.
5. How Small Businesses Can Use the Metaverse to Increase Their Customers
In this early stage of the metaverse, small businesses have a chance to get involved in AR technology and meet clients’ expectations. The industries that can benefit the most from the metaverse include retail and e-commerce. Take a look at the influence the metaverse will have on small businesses.
The metaverse is the future of work and it’s coming whether you’re ready or not. In a virtual world with its own unique set of rules, regulations, and norms, people will be able to communicate and collaborate in ways never before possible. This will open up unprecedented opportunities for remote workers and freelancers, who will have access to a new world of virtual networking and collaboration. But we need to make sure that this Wild West of the internet is safe for all to enjoy. So, put on your VR headset and get ready to ride into the sunrise of the future of work.
