Facebook is shifting it into first gear as it continues down its path to becoming a ‘Metaverse’. To further its plans, Facebook looks to hire 10,000 new staff to work on its Metaverse Project, all of which will be based in Europe.

Facebook explains:

“Today, we’re announcing a plan to create 10,000 new high-skilled jobs within the European Union (EU) over the next five years. This investment is a vote of confidence in the strength of the European tech industry and the potential of European tech talent.”

This new hiring initiative also serves as a significant European expansion of Facebook operations as it continues to develop its Metaverse elements. Though specifics on these elements are still unclear up to now, what Facebook envisions is the next stage of digital connection. In other words, Facebook wishes to take its social, AR, and VR tools to the next level.

The Metaverse

Simply put, the Metaverse is a virtual world (or worlds) where users are able to interact with one another through digital representations of themselves or “Avatars”. The idea behind the Metaverse is that real life can almost entirely be replicated digitally. This means that what you do in reality, like socialize; work; play; etc.; can also be done or, at the very least, is also available within the Metaverse. What would set the Metaverse apart is the availability of added digital utility – everyone has augmented connectivity thanks to access to additional digital communication elements.

Businesses have been building towards the same concept for years and the evolution of VR along with realizations brought about by the pandemic have only added to its sense of realism. As we draw towards the future, it’s expected that more and more people will look for this sort of virtual connection.

How and what shape the Metaverse will take is still unclear, but given the amount of time and resources Facebook has already invested in its development, we can only surmise that it will be something truly remarkable; a first-of-its kind even. With that being said, it wouldn’t be a surprise to know that Facebook is looking to become a foundational element of the broader Metaverse infrastructure.

Interestingly though, Facebook notes:

“No one company will own and operate the metaverse. Like the internet, its key feature will be its openness and interoperability. Bringing this to life will take collaboration and cooperation across companies, developers, creators and policymakers.”

The Wrap

It’s interesting to note that Facebook decided to base all the new staff in Europe, given that the company currently faces ongoing challenges in the region. Though not explicitly major, Facebook has been back and forth with European regulators, on various fronts, to ensure that it complies with the region’s ever-evolving standards on data-privacy, consumer protection, antitrust, and more. Though it need not-be-discussed in detail here, Facebook currently faces GDPR-instituted legal challenges and antitrust probes.

Given the company’s current predicament in the region, it now makes a little more sense why Facebook would choose to base new employment in Europe. In what is perhaps an attempt to gain leverage or a little leniency, Facebook expanding its operations in Europe would count towards regional contribution, thus potentially countering some of the allegations it faces.

But that’s a skeptical perspective at best. In the end, here’s what Facebook had to say:

“European companies are at the cutting edge of several fields, whether it’s the German biotech helping to develop the first-ever MRNA vaccine or the coalition of European neo-banks leading the future of finance. Spain is seeing record levels of investment into startups solving everything from online grocery delivery to neuroelectronics, while Sweden is on its way to becoming the world’s first cashless society by 2023.”

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Sources 

https://bit.ly/3pj1h8Q