The metaverse is still the next big thing, Meta insists

Nick Clegg, head of global affairs for Meta Platforms, took to the metaverse on Wednesday to insist that the future of computing will take place on that still not-quite-yet-defined virtual world.

The metaverse in this case was a virtual space in Meta’s Horizon Workrooms, where Clegg, logged in from London, spoke with a handful of reporters who were wearing borrowed Meta Quest headsets in Washington. The group appeared as torsos seated around a large wood table, though only Clegg’s avatar actually looked like him.

Wearing a virtual blue blazer with a red and blue pocket square and a white collared shirt, Clegg promised that the clunky experience of today’s metaverse applications will eventually be replaced by a more user-friendly experience that isn’t so heavy on the head – and presumably includes virtual legs.

“We’re going to stick with it, because we really believe, all the early evidence suggests, that something like this will be the heart of the new computing platform,” Clegg said. “But it’s going to take a while.”

Clegg’s commitment to the metaverse stands in contrast with the rest of the tech world’s relative loss of interest. Excitement over virtual realities has been replaced by zeal for artificial intelligence, and the burgeoning start-up sector springing up around it. With tighter economic conditions forcing the tech industry to focus resources, several companies have pulled back on investments in virtual experiences.

In February, Microsoft Corp killed its industrial metaverse project as a part of its lay-off of 10,000 people. Microsoft has been an ally for Meta’s efforts, with chief executive Satya Nadella appearing at the social media giant’s product event to tout bringing together virtual reality technology and its suite of workplace productivity tools like Teams, Word and Excel. Just this week, The Walt Disney Co cut a division that was working on its metaverse strategies, as part of its own broader workforce firing.