Published on: November 28, 2024 / Update from: November 28, 2024 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
France's vision: A “Virtual Universe à la Française” as an alternative to the tech giants – Image: Xpert.Digital
France's vision: A “Virtual Universe à la Française” as an alternative to the tech giants
Race for the digital future: France's strategy against the tech giants
Although the initial hype surrounding the Metaverse has now died down, the French government sees enormous potential in this new technology. She believes in a sustainable, “immersive digital transition” that goes beyond short-term fads. The Minister of Digital and Telecommunications, Jean-Noël Barrot, emphasized in a statement: “The development of immersive virtual universes is technologically and economically promising for the future.” However, this project is not just a technological initiative, but also a strategic response to the Dominance of global technology companies like Meta. France aims to compete in the metaverse with an independent, sovereign digital infrastructure and limit the influence of international companies.
A strategic approach to securing digital sovereignty
The French government is pursuing an ambitious strategy to preserve France's technological, economic and cultural sovereignty. The particular focus is on developing an alternative to the existing Metaverse offerings from large international corporations. The aim is to create a French ecosystem based on domestic technologies and innovations, thus reducing dependence on foreign players.
The focus of this project is not only the technical infrastructure, but also social participation. Citizens should be actively involved in the design process to ensure that the “Virtual Universe à la Française” meets the needs and expectations of the population.
Cultural identity and language in the digital space
Another focus is on preserving and promoting French culture and language in the Metaverse. The government sees the Metaverse not only as a technological challenge, but also as a cultural one. It offers the opportunity to make French art, literature, music and other cultural expressions accessible to a global audience.
By developing one's own metaverse, cultural content can be presented in a way that corresponds to national identities while being open to international collaboration. This could also help strengthen the French language in the digital space.
Challenges and ethical considerations
Implementing a national metaverse project presents numerous challenges. Technological hurdles, high development costs and the need for specialized professionals are just some of the problems that need to be overcome. In addition, ethical and legal issues must be clarified, such as data protection, security, intellectual property rights and the avoidance of monopoly structures.
The government recognizes that a responsible approach to these issues is crucial to the success of the project. It is important to find a balance between promoting innovation and protecting the individual rights of users.
International cooperation and European perspective
France does not view the metaverse in isolation, but also in the context of the European Union. There is an opportunity to work with other EU member states to develop common standards and infrastructure. A European initiative could help strengthen Europe's overall digital sovereignty and offer an alternative to the dominant platforms from the US and Asia.
Through collaborations, resources could be pooled, expertise exchanged and greater market reach achieved. This would not only bring economic benefits, but also help to anchor European values and norms in the digital space.
The role of citizens and companies: co-creating the French metaverse
Citizens can help shape the “Virtual Universe à la Française” – Image: Xpert.Digital
The Ministry of Economy has initiated a national survey to find out which areas of application of the Metaverse are preferred by the French. There were various categories to choose from, including health, education, entertainment, industry and professional development. This survey aimed to identify priorities for future investments and to obtain a comprehensive picture of the interests and concerns of the population.
Additionally, questions were asked whether citizens have already had experience with technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), blockchain or digital twins and whether they plan to spend time in immersive virtual universes in the future. Participants were also able to express their biggest reservations about the Metaverse, such as privacy, security or social impacts.
Companies and research institutions were also included in this consultation process. While companies were asked whether they planned to invest in metaverse technologies, scientists were asked to identify potential obstacles and funding needs for the development of a French metaverse.
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Technological foundations and innovation potential
France's approach emphasizes leveraging and evolving existing technologies to create a unique metaverse ecosystem. The government expects that the virtual universes of the future will include various forms and areas of application. The focus is on technological foundations such as virtual reality, augmented reality, haptic technologies, cloud computing and multi-user browsing. In addition, blockchain technology should also play a central role in ensuring security and transparency in virtual spaces.
Another goal is to promote social, professional and cultural experiences in digital worlds. The integration of network infrastructures that are already known from the video game industry is said to be crucial for this. France is aiming for a diverse metaverse that can be used for leisure activities as well as professional and social purposes.
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Significant investments in research, development and infrastructure
Despite the ambitious plans, France faces a number of challenges. The technology is still in its infancy and it is unclear how quickly the technical and social conditions will develop. There is also the question of funding: creating a national metaverse requires significant investments in research, development and infrastructure.
Another problem is international competitiveness. While companies like Meta and Google already have extensive resources and global reach, France must find ways to compete with these players. Cooperation with other European countries and institutions could be advantageous in order to create synergies and strengthen European digital sovereignty as a whole.
A path into the digital future
The results of the consultations and surveys are eagerly awaited as they could have a decisive impact on the direction of the French Metaverse strategy. However, it is already clear that France wants to play a pioneering role in European digital policy. By promoting innovative technologies and involving the population, the “Virtual Universe à la Française” could become a model for other countries.
It remains to be seen whether France can actually implement its ambitious plans. The coming years will show whether it will be possible to create a metaverse that represents a real alternative to the offerings of the international tech giants, both technologically and socially. But one thing is certain: France has taken the first step towards an independent and sovereign digital ecosystem - and this could be groundbreaking for the future.
The results of the survey conducted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs are expected to help develop concrete measures and strategies. It remains to be seen what priorities the government will set and how it will incorporate the suggestions and concerns of citizens, businesses and researchers into its planning.
Possible next steps could include initiating pilot projects, providing funding for research and development, and creating a legal framework that promotes innovation while providing protection mechanisms for users.
With its plans for the “Virtual Universe à la Française”, France shows a clear vision for the country’s digital future. By proactively involving various social groups and emphasizing sovereignty and cultural identity, the government is setting an example for an independent and responsible approach to new technologies.
The coming years will show whether and how France can achieve its ambitious goals in the Metaverse. The challenges are great, but so are the opportunities to position the country as a pioneer in one of the most exciting technological fields of our time.
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