Brands are reaching new audiences and creating virtual showrooms in the gaming metaverse. It’s an incredible opportunity for those willing to take the plunge – but it comes with risks. In this article we examine the copyright and IP issues, and ask where the metaverse might go in the future.
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Virtual smells, the feeling of a handshake, and AI translators could soon be a part of video calls.
Tech experts weigh the consequences and likelihood of replacing in-person meetings.
They suggest that while VR and AI may seem niche, they have potential to become mainstream.
As you settle in for your next meeting, you reach out to shake the hand of the person sitting across from you. The room fills with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, and when your colleague speaks in a different language, you find that you can understand them.
Last modified on Fri 22 Jan 2021 10.22 EST
After the cancellation of this year’s Glastonbury festival cast doubt on whether this year’s UK festival season could go ahead, British event organisers say that a lack of insurance is “the biggest barrier” to their viability. But the government is resisting a commitment to providing indemnity for the sector, akin to the Film and TV Production Restart Scheme announced in July.
Many festivals are not insured for communicable diseases and the insurance market is not offering Covid-19 cover for cancellation and business interruption. In response to the Glastonbury cancellation, the culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, said on Thursday: “We continue to help the arts on recovery, including problems around getting insurance.” It is not clear whether insurance was a factor in the Glastonbury organisers’ decision.