The Center for European Politics (cep) is critical of the EU Commission's Metaverse strategy - not competitive

“There is a lack of clear ideas on how Europe can gain influence over the development of metaverse standards and remain sovereign. The existing concentration on US corporations gives cause for concern about the EU's competitiveness.”

📚 The Metaverse: A critical analysis of the European Commission's Metaverse strategy

In recent years, the concept of the metaverse has emerged as one of the most exciting and promising trends in the technology sector. Virtual worlds where people can interact, create jobs, and open up new business opportunities have sparked the interest of companies and governments worldwide. The European Commission has developed a metaverse strategy in this context, but it has faced criticism.

🔍 The Metaverse Strategy Debate

The European Commission and the Centre for European Policy (cep), a policy think tank, are debating the effectiveness and competitiveness of the proposed Metaverse strategy. While the Commission aims to promote the growth and use of virtual worlds in Europe, cep experts have expressed concerns.

❓ Criticisms and challenges

A key concern of the cep is the lack of clarity and precision in the formulation of the measures. The strategy is ambiguous and leaves room for interpretation, which could lead to misunderstandings and uncertainties. This is an important point, as clear guidelines for the development of the metaverse are crucial to ensuring efficient and fair implementation.

🌐 The role of the EU in the global metaverse market

Another aspect that has been criticized is the focus on US tech giants like Meta. The European Union has the potential to play a strong and independent role in the metaverse. However, the proposed strategy does not appear to sufficiently strengthen the EU in terms of standards and innovation to compete with US companies. This raises questions about the EU's long-term competitiveness in the global metaverse market.

👨‍💼 Expert opinions

Anselm Küsters, a digital expert at the cep, emphasizes the need for clear ideas on how Europe can influence the development of metaverse standards. He points out that the EU must ensure it remains sovereign and is not dominated by foreign tech giants. This requires a strategic approach that prioritizes European values, security, and the protection of human rights.

🎓 Skills development in the Metaverse

The cep researchers also highlight the issue of skills development. The strategy appears vague regarding how Europe can attract and retain skilled professionals in the metaverse sector. This is crucial, as the development of innovative European businesses depends on a highly skilled workforce. Close cooperation between the EU and its member states on training and talent development could be a solution.

📈 Competition policy and financing

Another point that is not adequately addressed in the metaverse strategy concerns competition policy. While promoting innovation and growth is important, this must not come at the expense of fair competition. The strategy should include clear rules and regulations for the metaverse market to prevent monopolies and unfair competitive practices.

Furthermore, financial aspects are a crucial factor. The issue of financing and investment in the metaverse is not adequately addressed in the strategy. It is important to create mechanisms that facilitate access to capital for European companies while simultaneously ensuring that public funds are used effectively.

⚖️ Legal aspects and consumer protection

An important legal aspect addressed by cep consumer expert Patrick Stockebrandt concerns the enforcement of existing regulations in the metaverse. Ensuring the protection of user and consumer rights is crucial. This requires global standards and the effective implementation of existing laws and regulations in the virtual space.

🌍 cep's critique of the European Commission's Metaverse strategy

Overall, cep's critique of the European Commission's metaverse strategy highlights the complexity and challenges associated with shaping and regulating the metaverse. It is crucial that the EU develops a clear and comprehensive strategy that considers both the interests of its citizens and the competitiveness of European businesses.

Digitalization and the development of the metaverse are unstoppable trends that will significantly influence our society and economy. It is the responsibility of the European Commission and the Member States to ensure that Europe plays a leading role in this digital revolution and makes the most of the opportunities offered by the metaverse.

It remains to be seen how the debate surrounding the EU's Metaverse strategy will progress and what concrete measures will be taken to realize the vision of the Metaverse as an engine for growth and innovation in Europe. An open and transparent discussion with experts and stakeholders is crucial to finding the best solutions to the challenges of the Metaverse.

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The Centre for European Policy (cep) is a European policy think tank affiliated with the Foundation for Economic Policy. Based in Freiburg, the cep analyzes projects relevant to national economies as well as European policy issues. As an independent center of expertise, it conducts research and analysis to inform and advise policymakers, businesses, and the public on European affairs.

The cep works to foster a better understanding of European political, economic, and social developments. It addresses topics such as EU law, economic policy, financial market regulation, social and economic issues, and international relations. Its main objective is to provide evidence-based and well-founded analyses to promote discussion on European policy.

The CEP also collaborates with other organizations, think tanks, and research institutions to further advance European integration and cooperation. It is a key player in the European political landscape and plays a significant role in the development and implementation of European policies.

The organization has partner organizations and offices in various European cities, including Paris and Berlin, which underlines its cross-border cooperation and its role as an influential think tank in Europe.

Significant differences in metaverse development in Asia and the West – Image: Xpert.Digital

In Asia, especially in countries like South Korea, China and Japan, the Metaverse is primarily embraced and driven by the younger generation. Teenagers and young adults are spending more and more time in virtual spaces, be it to play, communicate or shop. Asia is home to 60 percent of the global youth population, and this number is reflected in the tremendous activity and engagement in the Metaverse.

In contrast, the West, particularly countries like Germany, has taken a slightly different approach to integrating the Metaverse. Instead of focusing exclusively on social and entertainment aspects, the focus here is on the use of the Metaverse in the industrial sector. The German Industry 4.0 concept, which includes automation and data networking in manufacturing technology, will be merged with the Metaverse. This leads to the emergence of the so-called “Industrial Metaverse”.

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• Metaverse Development and Innovations: A Look at Asia and the West – The Best of Both Worlds

🌐 The concept of the metaverse, consisting of virtual worlds and digital realities, promises enormous growth potential and the creation of new jobs. Based on these promising prospects, the European Commission has developed a so-called Metaverse Strategy, which aims to position and strengthen Europe in this emerging field.

🤔 However, the Centre for European Policy (cep) views the outlined measures of the EU strategy with concerns. They criticize the strategy's wording as ambiguous and unclear, which hinders implementation. Furthermore, they emphasize that Europe is not competitive in this area with US tech giants like Meta.

🌍 A key criticism of the cep analysis is the lack of clear ideas on how Europe can influence the development of metaverse standards while simultaneously safeguarding its sovereignty. The current concentration of US corporations in the metaverse sector is seen as a cause for concern regarding the European Union's competitiveness.

💡 CEP digital expert Anselm Küsters emphasizes that it is crucial for Europe to develop a clear vision and strategy for the metaverse that considers both economic and cultural aspects. This requires close collaboration between politics, business, and civil society.

💼 Matthias Kullas, economist at cep, emphasizes the importance of investing in research and development of metaverse technologies in Europe. This could help European companies survive in global competition and avoid being dominated by foreign tech giants.

👥 Patrick Stockebrandt, consumer expert at cep, points out that the EU should play a key role in regulating the metaverse sector to protect consumer interests. Data protection, security, and user rights must be guaranteed to strengthen people's trust in these new technologies.

🎭 The cep analysis also highlights the cultural and societal impact of the metaverse. It raises the question of how the diversity of European cultures and identities can be preserved in virtual worlds. Creative approaches and cultural promotion are needed to ensure that the metaverse does not lead to a homogenized culture.

📚 The European Union must also ensure that education and training in the metaverse are accessible in order to strengthen citizens' digital skills. This could also help create new jobs and career opportunities in the metaverse.

🔒 Another topic addressed in the cep analysis is the issue of cybersecurity in the metaverse. As virtual worlds and digital realities become increasingly intertwined with the real world, robust security measures are essential to prevent cyberattacks and data breaches.

🌟 It has become clear that the EU needs to develop a comprehensive and coordinated strategy for the metaverse that considers both economic opportunities and societal challenges. This strategy should build on innovation, education, data protection, and security, while preserving Europe's cultural diversity.

The discussion surrounding the EU Metaverse Strategy is therefore multifaceted and requires a careful consideration of the various interests and aspects. The cep analysis offers valuable insights into the current challenges and opportunities and should serve as a starting point for further discussions. It is clear that the metaverse will play a significant role in the future of the digital world, and Europe must actively position itself to benefit from this potential and defend its interests.

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Metaverse development in Germany, EU, USA, China, Japan and worldwide – Image: Xpert.Digital

XR technology and the concept of the Metaverse are still in their early stages of development, but their potential as an economic driver is enormous. Companies that are able to adapt and leverage these technologies are likely to have a competitive advantage. At the same time, they offer consumers the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new, immersive world that can transform everything from social interactions to professional tasks. As these technologies continue to evolve, it is important to consider ethical and regulatory issues to ensure that the benefits of the Metaverse and XR technology can be enjoyed as broadly as possible. Ultimately, the success of this digital ecosystem will depend on how well different actors – governments, businesses and civil society – can work together. This is an exciting time for the Metaverse and XR technology, and we can't wait to see what innovations and applications lie ahead in the next few years.

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• Metaverse development in Germany, EU, USA, China, Japan and worldwide

Find the right Metaverse agency and planning office such as a consulting firm - Image: Xpert.Digital

🗒️ Find the right Metaverse agency and planning office such as a consulting firm - search and search for top ten tips for consulting & planning

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• Experts in the Metaverse and XR: Find the right partners

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