Saudi Arabia Expands Its Pool of Skilled Professionals To Bolster Industrial Metaverse

Saudi Arabia is leveraging the power of the metaverse, traditionally associated with gaming, social media, and e-commerce, for industrial use. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Kingdom’s Communications Minister, Abdullah Alswaha, announced that the nation is investing in talent development within the industrial metaverse. But what does this mean for Saudi Arabia, and how will the nation utilize the metaverse to its advantage? Let’s delve deeper to understand the concept of the industrial metaverse.

The Industrial Metaverse

The industrial metaverse is a cutting-edge technology that has the prospect of revolutionizing the manufacturing industry. By merging virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and other digital technologies, it creates a digital realm that mimics real-world industrial assets. Such assets include machines, factories, structures, transportation systems, power grids, and more.

The industrial metaverse has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach manufacturing by creating a smooth connection between the real and virtual worlds. It could enhance the value of industrial operations and establish a new ecosystem for digital transformation. One of this tech’s most compelling use cases is the creation of digital twins, which simulate entire companies or factories. This would allow for optimizing building designs and detecting potential issues before they occur, saving time and money.

Watch: Saudi Arabia is “doubling down” on talent in the country’s industrial metaverse, the Kingdom’s Communications Minister Abdullah Alswaha says during the WEF at Davos. #SaudiAtDavos https://t.co/E5FeJWHdMU pic.twitter.com/7BP2WScLTT

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) January 19, 2023

As the industrial metaverse continues to evolve, digital twins are poised to play a vital role. They establish the foundation for ongoing simulation and real-time interaction while bridging the virtual and physical realms. Soon, digital twins will likely be a necessary component for the growth and success of the industrial metaverse.

Saudi Arabia’s Ambitious Journey Into The Metaverse

Saudi Arabia is turning to the metaverse to achieve its Vision 2030 objectives, with a recent report from Strategy & Middle East projecting that it could add up to $7.6 billion to the economy annually by 2030.

In alignment with this goal, the Kingdom has committed to investing $6.4 billion in leading-edge technologies, including a $1 billion fund specifically for the metaverse.

With a well-thought-out strategy, the nation could be at the vanguard of this technological revolution. However, as with any new technology, the metaverse presents opportunities and potential challenges. To fully capitalize on its potential, Saudi Arabia must take a holistic approach and develop a comprehensive policy framework.