Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.
While companies like Google and Meta have already shown a first look into their metaverse experiences, the truth is that the concept remains ambiguous to many people. Metaverse experiences still require expensive equipment like specialized VR headsets and are still confined to a relatively small crowd of VR and tech enthusiasts.
If the metaverse is to become as relevant as Web2, shouldn’t it be low-cost, inclusive, and accessible to all? MeetKai, a Conversational AI and metaverse company focused on improving life through human-AI interactions, is working on just that. Its metaverse is rooted in reality, with real-life experiences and real impacts like deepening personal connections or shopping for real products. The AI company’s NPCs (non-player-characters) will give users the ability to have natural conversations with AIs that offer vast knowledge on multiple subjects of interest. Think of access to unlimited knowledge.
In an interview, MeetKai Co-Founder and CEO James Kaplan explained how the metaverse can enhance everyday interactions like training for a new job. “Training right now for jobs is modeled more off of school than anything”, he said. “Immersive environments where users are able to simulate tasks provide a far more fun, engaging, and impactful experience for learning to do new work.”
The MeetKai Metaverse also offers the possibility of personalized experiences, like a museum tailored to your interests or a store with only the items you need. When it comes to accessibility, MeetKai’s is the first-ever browser-based metaverse, expanding access to anyone with a computer or smartphone. To showcase this technology, the company turned a Times Square billboard into an anamorphic portal on July 11th, where users can access the metaverse by simply scanning a QR code.
In this free “Phase 1 Beta” release, users can be transported to a virtual replica of Times Square, from where they can access other experiences within MeetKai’s metaverse. Users will also be able to claim exclusive “Key to the City – NYC Edition” NFTs that can unlock special features and prizes from iconic Times Square stores. MeetKai says that this is the first in a series of live portals and that collectible keys to other cities will be appearing around the world throughout next year.
So what does a better metaverse look like? For MeetKai, it’s VR with real-world utility, a space that’s inclusive and accessible to all, and a way to enhance real-life interactions instead of replacing them. It’s a metaverse with the potential to transform our lives by making everyday life easier, for anyone and everyone who owns a browser-compatible device.
