Written by Marc Demar
Initially, Virtual Reality was closely associated with gaming and was promoted primarily for that purpose. Wearing a headset and engaging in a VR gaming session for an hour or two was an enjoyable experience, as long as it didn’t induce nausea, a common issue for many users. At first, VR was perceived as a mere gadget, and after trying it a few times, numerous individuals dismissed it as nothing more than a source of entertainment.
However, these challenges did not deter innovators from persistently advancing and introducing improved headsets, games, and even complete social VR platforms. The term ‘Metaverse’ gained attention briefly, only to recede from the forefront of public consciousness. People’s fleeting focus and profit-driven motivations swiftly redirected their attention to another innovation: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Few recognize that AI, Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) are converging to generate a potent force, setting the stage for extraordinary technological advancements in the years ahead.
We are already leading virtual lives, existing within a kind of Metaverse, when you consider the rise of the Internet. Since its inception, we’ve been progressively channeling our data and identity into the digital realm. Initially at a gradual pace, but with accelerating speed, to the extent that we are unaware of the who, what, where, and why regarding the entities—whether governmental or commercial—that amass extensive data about us. These entities already employ AI to forecast our purchasing patterns, assess non-compliance risks, and more. While currently uncoordinated, the looming question is: What happens when these entities join forces, pooling their resources to construct a colossal machine learning database of you and an AI duplicate of you that you don’t control? If you believe this possibility sounds far fetched, the Chinese surveillance state teaches us it really isn’t.
The crucial reality is that VR, the Metaverse, and AI have arrived, and their presence is enduring. There are compelling reasons for us to be attentive and actively engaged, beyond the sheer fascination from a technological perspective. Our concern should stem from the desire to guide the development of these technologies in a direction that maximally benefits a broad spectrum of people. We aspire for these realms to evolve into spaces where individuals can learn, flourish, and explore. While this may seem like an obvious assertion, history has shown that without our active involvement, allowing Big Tech to dictate the trajectory, we risk ending up in a place we’d rather avoid. Declaring that all technology is inherently beneficial and propels us forward is akin to asserting that a car propels you, regardless of the path you’re on—even if one road leads straight to a cliff.
Somnium Space, the persistent, blockchain based VR platform, is progressing in a direction driven by a robust vision emphasizing individual control over data and creations. This motivation is evident in their deliberate separation of asset ownership from the platform itself. Regarding AI, Somnium Space fully acknowledges the significance of ensuring users have control over their own data. The following excerpt from one of their recent Medium posts, announcing the imminent Somnium Space 3.0 update, underscores this commitment.
A crucial aspect of our AI and data system’s design is its commitment to user privacy and data ownership. At Somnium Space, we firmly believe in your right to control your own data. As such, WE DO NOT COLLECT OR STORE any user data on our servers. Instead, all data gathered from your VR experiences are stored locally on your own PC in the universal and sharable Experience Data Format (EDF).
This user-centric approach not only empowers you with complete control over your personal data but also opens up possibilities for decentralized and transparent data sharing or trading. Researchers seeking to gather data for various purposes can directly connect with users within the Somnium Space platform. Users can then choose to share or trade their locally stored data in a manner that is both consensual and transparent.
In essence, the Somnium Space Platform V3.0 offers a secure and decentralized solution for data collection, storage, sharing & trading, designed with your privacy and data ownership rights in mind. We’re excited to see the new avenues of exploration and discovery this will open for both users and researchers alike.
In summary, Somnium Space acknowledges the vast potential of AI but is committed to empowering users by ensuring they retain control.
This fact alone should prompt you to reconsider. What is your vision for the ideal Metaverse? Where do you want to steer with these emerging technologies? Similar to how you wouldn’t simply board a bus without knowing its destination or trusting the driver, it’s essential to be thoughtful about the direction of technological advancements. Somnium Space stands out for its transparency and openness about their vision for their version of the Metaverse and the integration of AI within it. This transparency holds significant value. History has shown the potential pitfalls of complacency and blindly accepting the path dictated by Big Tech.
Somnium Space 3.0, set to launch soon, promises to be a revolutionary experience. Its impact goes beyond groundbreaking innovations, blockchain based marketplace, AI integration, professional cinematography capabilities, and extends to enhanced visual fidelity. Navigating through Somnium Space 3.0 will shatter the perception of VR as a mere gadget, firmly establishing it as a space where one would choose to linger simply for the joy of it. It offers a tranquil, astonishing, captivating, beautiful, and unique environment where you can rediscover the thrill of feeling like a child, embarking on adventures both grand and small.
That’s the kind of Metaverse we want.
Nicely articulated! I hope people will awaken to the profound message conveyed here about the essence of data and its rebellious spirit! There’s a concern that this realization might elude some, given the captivating allure of the major players who bedazzle the masses with their gleaming innovations. Let’s strive to break free from this mesmerizing spell and embrace opportunity to go against the flow. #Web3Liberty 🙏✌️🌹
Thank you BlockMuse! Break free we must!