The European Commission has released a strategy to “develop Web 4.0 and virtual worlds that reflect EU values and principles.”
“We will invest in the integration and expansion of new technologies, and give people the tools and skills to use digital universes safely and confidently,” said Thierry Breton, commissioner for the internal market.
According to the EU definition, Web 4.0 is the fourth generation of the development of the Internet, integrating artificial intelligence, IoTblockchains, metaverses and augmented reality.
According to Breton, the new stage of technology development will provide “a fusion between digital and real spaces, as well as improve the interaction between people and machines.”
“The post-2030 EU economic outlook sees digitalization as one of the key factors and Web 4.0 as an important technology transition enabling an interconnected space. It is estimated that the size of the global market for virtual worlds will grow from €27 billion in 2022 to over €800 billion by 2030,” the European Commission said in a statement.
The authorities have identified several key development strategies:
- empowering people in the digital sector through access to reliable information and creating a talent pool of specialists. As part of the move, EU lawmakers will submit guidelines for virtual worlds by the end of 2023;
- support for the European Web 4.0 ecosystem to “improve quality of service and address fragmentation”;
- digitalization of public services and support for social progress. The authorities will launch two projects – an immersive urban environment for planning and managing CitiVerse, as well as a European Virtual Human Twin medical service;
- formation of global standards for new technologies. The European Commission will engage with stakeholders in the field of computer development and recommend rules in line with the vision of the EU.
Recall that on April 20, the European Parliament voted for a bill on the comprehensive regulation of the crypto industry MiCA. The document introduces strict rules aimed at protecting investors and consumers.
In June, the EU put forward a legislative proposal that would establish the legal basis for the possible issuance of a digital euro as a supplement to cash.