China’s Sichuan Province Enters the Metaverse, Focusing on Web3 Ambitions
China’s Sichuan province is embracing the metaverse as part of its efforts to strengthen economies in the Yangtze Delta. The project aims to develop virtual, augmented, and mixed-reality technologies to support key industries like healthcare, television, and energy. Sichuan province will also explore eye-tracking, haptic feedback, and brain-computer interfaces. The initiative will create a metaverse “twin” of the province through an open platform that facilitates data sharing across industries.
Main Breakdowns:
- The metaverse project focuses on developing virtual, augmented, and mixed-reality technologies for key industries.
- Research will be conducted on eye-tracking, haptic feedback, and brain-computer interfaces.
- The initiative aims to create a metaverse “twin” of Sichuan province through an open platform.
- Data collected from various industries will inform strategies, such as decarbonization and emergency scenario predictions.
- A controversial aspect of the plan involves developing “service-oriented” artificial humans for education, consulting, medical care, and performing arts.
Sichuan Joins Efforts to Unify Economies of Yangtze Delta
Sichuan province’s metaverse strategy aligns with President Xi Jinping’s socialist ideals and the government’s plan to connect economies of over 20 cities in the Yangtze Delta. China’s Communist Party has recently developed a plan to establish blockchain digital infrastructure in Shanghai, the delta’s largest city. This new service will link government, public services, and industry, facilitating trade and farming output tracking and hosting government data.
Hot Take
China’s Sichuan province is making significant strides in the metaverse, driven by its Web3 ambitions and a focus on technological advancements. By developing virtual and augmented reality technologies and exploring cutting-edge interfaces, Sichuan aims to revolutionize key industries and strengthen its economy. However, the controversial development of artificial humans raises ethical questions and may face resistance. Nevertheless, the province’s efforts to create a metaverse “twin” and connect with other cities in the Yangtze Delta demonstrate its commitment to technological progress.