Finland seeks to become metaverse global leader by 2035

The report, entitled ‘Metaverse Initiative by the Finnish Ecosystem: Virtual Potential into Real-World Impact’, states that Finland would like to become “a global leader in the metaverse industry”. The term ‘metaverse’ as it stands is fairly slippery. The European Commission’s strategy published in July on the topic instead used the phrase ‘virtual worlds’ – as the metaverse lexicon was deemed too closely associated with Meta (formerly Facebook). According to the Finnish report, while there have been several definitions, today, “the term [metaverse] has been used to describe various visions of virtual worlds that are immersive and experiential, and that may integrate elements of the physical and digital worlds.” Moreover, the metaverse can remember users and their environment; some parts are “seamlessly connected to the real world”. It also mimics reality and is “by default in immersive 3D”. According to Patrick Grady, editor at policy hub Metaverse EU, Finland’s “definition for the ‘metaverse’—and not ‘virtual worlds’—helps to clarify rather than confuse key elements of new immersive technology”.