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We believe that the metaverse will transform the way people connect and how businesses grow,\u00a0 and lead to closer social experiences compared to anything that exists online today. But the technologies making the metaverse possible will need to be inclusive and people will need to feel safe in order for them to want to use them. Since no one company will own and operate the metaverse, this will require collaboration and cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n Today, we\u2019re announcing a $2.5 million investment to support independent academic research across Europe to study the risks and opportunities of the metaverse. Through the help of the <\/span>XR Programs and Research Fund<\/span><\/a>, academics in seven European countries will examine how metaverse technologies will intersect with privacy, safety, inclusion and the future of work.<\/span><\/p>\n We believe that the collaboration among industry partners, civil rights groups, governments, nonprofits and academic institutions can help ensure that the enthusiasm for the metaverse\u2019s potential is accompanied by a focus on developing it responsibly.<\/span><\/p>\n We are facilitating independent external research efforts with the following European academics and institutions:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The metaverse is in the early stages of development, but collaborating across industry, the public sector, academia and civil society can help us progress on these new technologies as they are being built.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n