The Metaverse Isn’t Dead. It’s Turning Into A Customer Data Powerhouse

The Metaverse Beyond Meta: A New Era of Innovation

The recent layoffs at Meta and the sunsetting of its Horizon Workrooms platform have led many to declare the metaverse dead. However, this assumption is far from the truth. While Meta’s platforms were among the most well-known, they were not the only players in the field. The metaverse is a vast and evolving space, and the departure of a major player can actually create opportunities for independent companies to innovate and reshape the landscape.

Evelyn Mora, founder of VLGE, is one such innovator. She believes that the next iteration of the metaverse will focus on “world models,” an emerging approach to AI that relies on 3D representations of environments and the behaviors that occur within them. This approach has the potential to revolutionize the way companies gather data and interact with customers. By creating immersive environments, brands can observe how humans move through space, explore, hesitate, and engage with products in real-time.

From Social Networks to Data-Driven Platforms

The metaverse is shifting from a social network-focused platform to a data-driven one. Companies like VLGE are using the metaverse to gather data on customer behavior and intention, which can be used to inform product design, marketing strategies, and even train AI agents. For instance, in the fashion industry, data gathering has historically been limited. However, with the metaverse, every glance and movement can be tracked, providing valuable insights into consumer behavior.

This data can be used to create more effective and personalized shopping experiences. AI can analyze the data and provide feedback to designers, who can then use this information to create products that better meet customer needs. The metaverse can also enable the creation of AI-powered agents that can assist customers in finding products, making the shopping experience more efficient and enjoyable.

The Future of Spatial Data Capture

The metaverse is not just limited to virtual environments. The next step is to capture spatial data in the physical world using smart glasses and other devices. This will enable companies to track millions of views in real-time, providing unparalleled insights into customer behavior. However, it’s essential to ensure that customers opt-in to data collection and are compensated for their data.

As the metaverse continues to evolve, we can expect to see new players enter the space, and existing ones to innovate and grow. The departure of Meta has created an opportunity for independent companies to shape the future of the metaverse. With the rise of spatial data capture and AI-powered agents, the metaverse is poised to become a vital platform for businesses to gather data, inform product design, and create more personalized customer experiences.

A New Wave of Innovation

Fei-Fei Li, a pioneer in the field of AI, is leading the charge in spatial intelligence, which is set to become the next wave of computing. Venture capital firms are also seeing an uptick in pitches from startups focused on capturing spatial data sets, which will be licensed by robotics companies and brands. As the metaverse continues to grow, we can expect to see new and innovative applications of spatial data capture and AI-powered agents.

While the metaverse may have faced setbacks, it is far from dead. In fact, platforms like Roblox, with its 380 million monthly active users, are thriving. The metaverse is a dynamic and evolving space, and its future is full of possibilities. As companies like VLGE and others continue to innovate, we can expect to see the metaverse become an essential platform for businesses and customers alike.