Event

Metaverse Dialogue #2 – “Economics of the human body and avatars in the Metaverse”

The second day of the Renaissance Numérique Metaverse Dialogues

Paris, closed seminar

Monday 13 March 2023, 9.00am-6.00pm

Renaissance Numérique launched in December 2022 the "Metaverse Dialogues". Over the course of five months, it will gather French, European and international high-level experts, including institutional players, device manufacturers, representatives of the video games and virtual worlds industry, major tech companies, big and smaller economic actors from other sectors, but also academic experts representing a wide spectrum of social sciences (anthropology, economy, political science, psychology, cognitive sciences, sociology…) and civil society representatives. During three one-day dialogues, they will engage in the constructive confrontation of their experience and knowledge, with a view to shed light on the technological, legal and societal issues that are emerging — and are likely to emerge — as the metaverse develops.

In the various definitions of the metaverse we may encounter, an essential characteristic seems to be shared: embodiment – in other words the involvement of the body of the user in its interactions with other people and with the digital environment. This projection of the full body in virtual environments is made possible by the use of immersive technologies such as virtual reality or augmented reality devices. Due to this characteristic, some people talk about an “embodied Internet” to define the metaverse.

Do these new types of engagement and relationships “in virtual worlds” lead to the emergence of new business models? If so, are those based on the monetisation of the user’s body? On the monetisation of some parts of the body or assets? Of avatar(s)? Which data is or will be collected to design and monetise these experiences? Are new possibilities emerging from the possibility of tracking the full body and its extensions in the metaverse (emotions recognition, analysis of behavioural data…)? On the contrary, will the business models of the metaverse ressemble well-known models, based on advertising or monetising online audiences? What are the technical, legal and ethical conditions that could guarantee the emergence of a (new) framework for digital transactions, one that is respectful of users’ privacy?

The following experts will take part in the discussions:

  • Xavier ABADIE, International Development Director, SimforHealth
  • Cecilia ÁLVAREZ, EMEA Privacy Policy Director, Meta
  • Étienne Armand AMATO, Senior Lecturer, Université Gustave Eiffel
  • Sébastien BORGET, Co-founder & COO, The Sandbox
  • Clotilde BRIEND, Public Policy Manager, Meta
  • Arnaud DRESSEN, Founder, Wonda
  • Nicolas DUPAIN, President, France Immersive Learning
  • Faustine FLEURET, President & CEO, Association for the Development of Digital Assets (ADAN)
  • Alain GOUDEY, Deputy Managing Director, Neoma Business School
  • Henri GRELET, Director of Controlling and Operations, Dorcel Group
  • Henri ISAAC, Senior Lecturer, Université Paris Dauphine – PSL
  • Aylin KIP, Standardization Project Manager, Pôle Numérique, AFNOR
  • Olivier MAUCO, Founder, Game in Society
  • Clément MERVILLE, Member, Controv3rse

More on this subject