Meta Shifts Priorities to AI, But What About the Metaverse?

Meta has recently announced that they will be prioritizing their focus on artificial intelligence (AI), creators, and messaging services. This move has left many wondering about the fate of their ambitious metaverse project, which prompted the company to change its name to "Meta."

Pieter Lydian, the Country Managing Director for Meta in Indonesia, addressed these concerns during a media event in Jakarta on Thursday (March 24, 2023). He explained that the metaverse is still a priority for the company and will happen "five to ten years from now."

According to Pieter, the journey towards the metaverse requires several components, with creators being one of them. He emphasized that the metaverse does not always have to be about augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Instead, he believes that the focus should be on other applied technologies that may emerge in the future.

Pieter also pointed out that there are several factors that need to be addressed before the metaverse can become a reality. These include the need for more advanced bandwidth and the involvement of other industries in driving the development of the metaverse.

Despite Meta's newfound emphasis on AI, Pieter reassured that the metaverse has not been forgotten. He explained that the development of any technology follows a cycle, starting with creation, followed by a period of hype and discussion, then adoption, and finally maturity.

In a recent post about Meta's efficiency plans, CEO Mark Zuckerberg also revealed that the company's largest investment will be in advancing AI and integrating it into their products.

"We have the infrastructure to do this on a scale that has never been done before, and I think the experiences it will create will be incredible," Zuckerberg said.

Meta has announced that their three main priorities for users in Indonesia are AI, creators, and messaging services. The company believes that this growth reflects changes in Facebook user preferences in recent years, with more emphasis on interacting with specific communities and creators.

In conclusion, while Meta may be shifting its focus towards AI, the metaverse remains a top priority for the company. With the involvement of other industries and the emergence of new technologies, the future of the metaverse is still uncertain but promising.