Social media giant, Facebook intends to recruit as many as 10,000 employees in Europe to create a ” metaverse” that will blend the technology of augmented and virtual reality in a brand new virtual world.
It was reported that the US tech giant revealed the hiring drive on Sunday, saying that it would be carried out over the course of five years. Facebook claimed the move was a “vote of confidence” in the European tech industry and its employees.
The concept for the metaverse lies in creating a world like an internet in which users (via virtual avatars) are able to walk through and interact with each other in real-time. In theory, they can sit at a virtual table with colleagues from afar and then stroll over to an online Starbucks to catch up with a person who lives in a different country.
Facebook is facing competition to develop the metaverse, with immersive gaming platforms like Roblox as well as Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite. Similar initiatives have been in process since 2003, the year that Linden Lab launched a virtual world known as Second Life.
Facebook declared that the metaverse had announced that the metaverse won’t be run or owned by any single company.
Facebook said it was “an exciting time” for Europe’s tech industry, stating that it has the advantages of” a huge market for consumers, top-quality universities, and, most importantly the best talent.”
The owners of Instagram and WhatsApp have announced AI investment in research and development in France as well as a new headquarters in Ireland as proof that shows its support for the region.
However, it’s also a time of increasing examination of the company from EU as well as UK regulators.
June in June, The European Commission launched an investigation to determine if Facebook violated EU competition laws through the use of data from the advertisers who use its platforms to compete with them. It is also investigating whether the UK Competition and Markets Authority are also looking into Facebook’s use of personal data.
The pressure on Facebook is mounting from legislators on both sides of the Atlantic following the revelations of a whistleblower who made public allegations that Facebook has repeatedly put profit over public benefit.
Gracia is graduated from a reputed university in London. She is a senior content writer at TechieGuard, where she covers media and advertising and co-hosts the Original Content podcast.
