The featured image used in this blog was taken at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Zambia after the DCN Africa Launch in Zambia, a few minutes before we both left for Dubai with my ‘Meta Man’, Dimitris Dimitriadis, who introduced us to the virtual world. I will tell you everything you need to know in a bit.
On November 9, 2023, the second day of the DCN Africa launch, I and hundreds of others were introduced to the Metaverse. I get it, there are so many questions you would want to ask me about this word, like what is it? What does it do? Why it? The truth is, I had the same questions and even more when I first heard about it from Dimitris Dimitriadis in Zambia, a renowned Greek keynote speaker, futurist, and expert in designing companies for the future. “The Meta Man,” as I fondly call him, simply defines the Metaverse as a virtual world where people interact. To make it more real, Dimitris Dimitriadis has created a virtual world of the very hall we used in Zambia with everything in it, from the door, paintings, artworks, pictures, and everything. Sounds crazy, right? For me, everything didn’t just sound crazy but interesting that I could have access to the very hall I am in but in the virtual world.
A few days before our travel, Dimitris Dimitriadis had sent us a link where we could create a virtual version of ourselves. The features of this virtual version allow us to use our image, change our dress, hairstyle, shoes, and even the way we smile.
A week before the event, Dimitris Dimitriadis, through DCN’s Communications Director Marianna Tanagia, asked us to create an avatar on ReadyPlayerMe, download the Spatial App, log in, and search for DCNVERSE.
Everything sounded new to me, but I did give it a try and created the account, logged into the Spatial app, and sent a screenshot to the group and to Dimitris Dimitriadis saying, “I am already in Zambia. Waiting for the rest of the team.” Dimitris Dimitriadis said, “See you in the DCNVERSE and IRL SOON.”
In the Metaverse world, I saw all those who joined, interacted with, chatted, had voice conversations, and we could even jump and wave at each other. Dimitris Dimitriadis had told us of the challenging task of hiding an item somewhere in the big hall that we were to look for.
Dimitris Dimitriadis is a renowned keynote speaker, futurist, and expert in designing companies for the future. With a captivating blend of case studies, global perspectives, and cutting-edge research, Dimitris offers original insights that help business leaders understand and tap into their future potential. As the Chief Innovation Officer of TheFutureCats, a leading innovation consultancy, Dimitris’s research on emerging technologies and human behavior helps Fortune 500 companies chart a course for business transformation.
In addition to his work with TheFutureCats, Dimitris is also the founder of Zoltar, a global blockchain consultancy. With over two decades of experience as a thought leader on disruptive innovation, digital transformation, and new ways of thinking, Dimitris is a trusted advisor to some of the world’s biggest organizations as they navigate the new era of machine intelligence.
As a specialist in AI-powered transformation and the metaverse, Dimitris’s work has been featured in publications such as Fortune, Athens Voice, Kathimerini, etc. His unique ability to bridge the worlds of disruptive technology and business leadership allows him to translate deep tech into practical recommendations that help leaders seize new opportunities, transform their organizations, and change their own thinking.
The Metaverse is a virtual world that allows users to experience a 3D environment that doesn’t exist in the real world. It is a concept that has been around for a while but has gained more attention recently due to the rise of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies. The Metaverse is a place where people can interact with each other, create content, and explore new worlds. It is a place where people can be whoever they want to be and do whatever they want to do.
There are many Metaverse platforms available today, and each one offers a unique experience. Some of the most popular Metaverse platforms include Decentraland, The Sandbox, and ENGAGE. These platforms allow users to create their own virtual worlds, interact with other users, and explore new environments.
The Metaverse is a virtual reality space where users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users in real-time. It is often depicted as a fully immersive and interconnected digital universe, similar to the concept portrayed in movies like “Ready Player One.”
Decentraland, The Sandbox, and ENGAGE are just a few examples of platforms that are building their own versions of the Metaverse. These platforms leverage blockchain technology to enable the creation, ownership, and trading of unique digital assets known as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). NFTs can represent various virtual objects, such as land, buildings, avatars, or even in-game items.
In Decentraland, users can purchase virtual land and build their own experiences, games, or social spaces on it. They can also buy and sell NFTs within the platform’s marketplace. The Sandbox offers a similar concept, allowing users to create and monetize their own gaming experiences using its voxel-based editor.
ENGAGE, on the other hand, is focused on providing a Metaverse platform for enterprise and education purposes. It allows users to collaborate, learn, and communicate in virtual spaces, making it a valuable tool for remote work, training simulations, or virtual classrooms.
The Metaverse holds immense potential for various industries beyond gaming and entertainment. It can revolutionize how we work, socialize, learn, and even conduct business. As more platforms and technologies emerge, the possibilities for innovation within the Metaverse are endless.
If you’re interested in exploring the Metaverse, there are numerous resources available online to help you get started. You can find tutorials, guides, and communities that can provide insights and support as you navigate this exciting new world. So why not dive in and see what the Metaverse has to offer? You might uncover new opportunities and experiences that were previously unimaginable.