Furthering its efforts to solidify its presence in the AR and VR sectors, Meta has recently declared the opening of applications for the Africa Metathon, an African iteration of its program.
This fresh initiative from Meta aims to foster African talent, aligning with the objectives of the Meta Global XR Fund.
Meta: Africa Metathon!
Meta’s latest initiative is an Africa-wide program designed to develop innovative solutions tailored for African scenarios. The program’s goal is to offer an inclusive educational framework, positioning it as an extension of Meta’s Metaverse initiatives. It encompasses three key components, with activities spread across 16 countries, both physically and virtually. The program will also provide intensive training to enhance the skills acquired.
Phil Oduor, Head of Meta’s Africa Policy Program, shared insights about the program. He stated that it leverages artificial intelligence to build robust infrastructures that authentically represent African realities. He also highlighted opportunities for learning how to utilize virtual reality and augmented reality effectively.
The project leader elaborated that Meta’s XR Programs and Research Fund, which includes a $50 million grant, spans two years. The focus of the program is on developing the Metaverse to ensure it is human-centric and immersive. Oduor also noted a collaboration with augmented reality developers Imisi 3D and BlackRhino. This partnership aims to expand Africa’s creative and innovative potential, illustrating various Metaverse concepts within an African context.
Meta Expands Its Metaverse Investments!
Facebook’s parent company, now known as Meta, has been a pioneer in the virtual world with its past and ongoing endeavors. The rebranding to Meta reflects CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s commitment to expanding the virtual ecosystem. The first quarter of 2022 proved challenging for Meta, with its Metaverse unit, Reality Labs, reporting a loss of $2.96 billion.
Since 2021, Zuckerberg has channeled over $10 billion into the Metaverse project. Despite these financial setbacks, the company and Zuckerberg remain unwavering in their pursuit. Zuckerberg has emphasized Meta’s dedication to laying the groundwork for the Metaverse, targeting the next decade, and focusing on pivotal opportunities within this domain.
Meta launched Horizon Worlds, a virtual reality social platform, a cornerstone of Zuckerberg’s Metaverse strategy. Released in December, Horizon Worlds’ VR apps mark Meta’s foray into the virtual social reality ecosystem, a venture that has yet to generate revenue for the company. Additional VR apps are slated for release later in the year, underscoring Meta’s commitment to this innovative space.
The belief in the potential of the Metaverse extends beyond the Meta CEO. Numerous top brands are vying for a place in this emerging realm. With Apple Inc joining the fray, the competition has intensified. Meta’s early entry gives it a distinct advantage in this burgeoning field.
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