Why the metaverse is a massive opportunity for companies to get diversity right

The C-suite has a key role in cultivating diversity in the metaverse—starting today

The internet and the evolution of social media have made way for all types of conversations about identity, self-determination, and yes, even gender. The metaverse doesn't have the same constructs that the physical world does. Technology is evolving all the time. We need the collective will to embed DEI principles into the metaverse where people can freely express who they are. The hope is that in the metaverse, we can transcend the limitations of our physical bodies.

Cathy Hackl, Founder and Chief Metaverse Officer, Journey

The emergence of the metaverse calls to mind the early days of the internet in the 1990s—new and full of imaginable potential. Although diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) weren’t the focus when the internet was new, that shouldn’t be the case for the metaverse. And the C-suite can make sure it isn’t.

DEI values are threaded through the fabric of modern life, and companies have spent years retrofitting DEI strategies across their digital properties. The financial and reputational costs have been high. Flash forward to today, and the metaverse offers an extraordinary opportunity for a DEI reset. The metaverse is the next generation of the internet, and it is being built now. Companies have the chance to incorporate accessibility and diversity principles from the start, rather than bolting them on later.

Why the metaverse is a massive opportunity for companies to get diversity right

The C-suite has a key role in incorporating accessibility and diversity principles into the metaverse. Explore how to get started.

Diversity in the metaverse is a C-suite issue

Building a metaverse that reflects the diversity of human experience is valuable for people, society—and business. The metaverse will radically change how business is conducted, with breakthrough ways to drive growth. As such, the responsibility to design for diversity in the metaverse goes well beyond developers. It’s a responsibility for every member of the C-suite for three reasons:

The metaverse is a source of future revenue

The metaverse is key to the future of work

The metaverse is on the investment community’s radar

The same DEI tenets from the physical world apply to cultivating diversity in the metaverse. But organizations should go further. Although physical barriers disappear in the metaverse, wholly new barriers and challenges emerge, such as agreeing on common terminology, addressing cyber security risks, and determining how to monetize offerings, among others.

Each C-suite leader will likely have a perspective to add to the conversation. Read our paper to explore questions for leaders.