Reviving Virtual Tech: Public Administration’s Impact

Germany is experiencing a renewed interest in the metaverse, with state governments and research institutions recognizing its potential to revolutionize various sectors. The metaverse is a virtual space that combines blockchain, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data, spatial computing, and digital twins. Germany aims to focus on practical applications in public services and industry to understand the true potential of the metaverse. The integration of metaverse technologies into government services could enhance public administration by providing citizens with open but secure access to data exchange and communication with authorities. Citizens would be able to access services from anywhere using smartphones, desktops, VR or AR glasses, with transactions secured through cryptographic technology. The use of metaverse technologies in public administration has already shown benefits in terms of improved communication and collaboration. The state government of Lower Saxony is testing immersive technologies such as VR and extended reality (XR) for public administration services. Implementing metaverse technologies in public administration comes with risks and challenges, including cybersecurity, data protection, employee health, and data handling practices. Educating employees and citizens on the use of immersive technologies is crucial for harnessing the potential of the metaverse. Regional initiatives, such as the CyberLänd project in Baden-Württemberg, aim to explore the political, industrial, and social potential of the metaverse, while collaboration between German industries and digital technologies is essential for building a robust ecosystem. The German industrial sector is also recognizing the benefits of the metaverse for development and production processes. Companies like Siemens Energy and BMW are leveraging the metaverse for modeling, prediction, design, testing, and production. Challenges such as data security, legal uncertainties, and hardware limitations need to be addressed. Planning, employee training, and collaboration between government, industry, and researchers are essential for successfully navigating these challenges. While the metaverse is still a promise for the future, its sub-technologies and business models can already be used in smaller bundles to drive innovation.