Page 19 - UN Executive Briefing on Unlocking the potential of virtual worlds and the metaverse for the Sustainable Development Goals

UN Executive Briefing on Unlocking the potential of virtual worlds and
the metaverse for the Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster
innovation

Virtual worlds offer a transformational opportunity to achieve Goal 9. By
adopting interoperable standards and open platforms to drive growth
of virtual worlds such as the metaverse, policymakers can encourage
digital infrastructure development that fosters technological innovation,
connectivity and digital transformation [b-ORF].
As the metaverse and other virtual worlds evolve, it is crucial to address
disparities in access to digital technologies, connectivity, and virtual
worlds platforms. In these efforts, inclusivity should be the guiding principle to ensure that
diverse communities, including those in rural and underserved areas, can equally participate
and benefit from virtual worlds. This will require balancing innovation and regulatory frameworks
in a way that supports a healthy and sustainable ecosystem while encouraging innovation and
ensuring societal and individual protections [b-Meta].

By developing interoperable and future-proof digital infrastructure, including high-speed
Internet connectivity, and data centres, virtual worlds can support the growing demands of new
digital applications and services. Interoperability will allow different metaverse platforms and
applications to seamlessly communicate and interact with one another. This, in turn, contributes
to innovation, collaboration and a vibrant virtual ecosystem. Openness and interoperability of
metaverse platforms can play an important role in powering the development of resilient and
sustainable infrastructure and industry.

Case study: Renault Group industrial metaverse

Renault Group is pioneering the digital future of the automotive industry with the launch of
its first industrial metaverse. The metaverse is a digital replica of Renault Group's physical
operations, enabling real-time control of production lines, supply chains and data flows.
The company's digitization efforts have already resulted in significant benefits, with digital
technology leading to savings of EUR 780 million since 2016. By 2025, the Group expects
to achieve EUR 320 million in various savings and an additional EUR 260 million in inventory
savings. Moreover, digitalization is predicted to reduce vehicle delivery time by 60 per cent, cut
the carbon footprint of vehicle manufacturing by 50 per cent, significantly decrease innovation
cycles, and contribute to a 60 per cent reduction in warranty costs [b-Renault].

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