This newsletter edition has been elaborated by Ana Castejón Grao and Javier López-Guzmán
The MetaverseUA Chair Newsletter #18 – April 2025
Hello there, Metaversian friends!
Welcome to a new issue of the MetaverseUA Chair newsletter. Our last weeks in the Virtual Worlds have been hectic. We have been travelling a lot: firstly to Saint Male, France, to join the IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces. Then, to Brussels, Belgium, to join the latest meeting of the VR/AR EU Industrial Coalition. And most recently to Brussels again to participate at the Global Multistakeholder High Level Conference on Governance of Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds organised by the European Commission. We are also in preparation of our II International Congress “Metaverse for the Good”, in Alicante, and our participation at the CPDP Conferences again at the European Capital. Stay tuned! But enough talking about ourselves. There is a lot going on (virtually) out there. Buckle up! Let’s go to it.
AI experts will play a key role in the AI Governance
In a significant move for AI regulation, the European Commission has officially adopted the rules for establishing a new scientific advisory panel under the AI Act. This group of independent experts will assist national authorities and the AI Office in implementing and enforcing AI legislation, providing technical advice, and raising alarms about potential risks of a general-purpose AI model.
The role of this panel will be crucial in shaping the future of AI governance, ensuring that technology evolves responsibly. The Commission is preparing a call for experts to join, so AI specialists, your time to shine might be closer than you think!
Masterstroke in copyright legal battle!
In a major legal twist for Artificial Intelligence, Anthropic, the company behind the model Claude, has won a preliminary victory in its dispute with major record companies like Universal Music. The plaintiff claimed that Anthropic had used lyrics from more than 500 songs without permission to train its AI models. However, the California court dismissed the request to stop the use of these lyrics, stating that the lawsuit was too broad and failed to demonstrate immediate and irreparable harm.
While the case remains open, and the record labels have the option to file a new complaint, Claude defends its position based on the «fair use» principle, claiming that any ‘error’ in the use of copyrighted material is not a feature of its product. The ruling could be key in the evolution of AI and copyright law, making it essential to watch its final outcome.
As AI continues to blur the boundaries between human creativity and technology, this case sets a crucial precedent for how intellectual property will be managed in virtual worlds. The outcome will not only shape the future of AI training, but also influence how we approach ownership and creativity in the Metaverse, where the distinction between original creation and machine-generated content is rapidly fading.
Navigating the Metaverse with the EU’s Toolbox
Do you still think the Metaverse is just for experts or gamers? Don’t worry, the European Commission’s Virtual Worlds Toolbox is here to change your mind. This new interactive platform is like the digital GPS we all needed: it offers practical tools and clear information on how virtual worlds work, users’ rights in the EU and tips on safety and cybersecurity in immersive environments.
What’s interesting for our field? This online resource is part of the EU strategy on Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds, that guides a digital transformation while ensuring an open, inclusive, and secure immersive digital environment. Spoiler alert: it’s not science fiction, it is the future of education, culture, economy, public administrations, and social interaction.
Metaverse tipping point approaching
Virtual Worlds are already an active and interesting domain. However, there are many who are still expecting for them to unleash their full potential. The tip of the iceberg may be emerging sooner than many expect. PwC published a report on this matter, analysing immersive technology trends. It explores the growing influence of technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and the Metaverse across various industries. These technologies are expected to significantly impact sectors such as commerce, healthcare, and education, with organizations increasingly adopting them to enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and create new business models. The report forecasts substantial growth in immersive tech, driven by innovation in user engagement and advancements in hardware.
Upcoming Events You Won’t Want to Miss!
- CPDP 2025 (21-23 May, Brussels, Belgium) – Fantastic conferences about new technologies and regulation, turning adult this year in its 18th edition. The place to be for privacy professionals, and those interested in the relations with the EU institutions. Plenty of opportunities and fantastic panels to join, including our own MetaverseUA Chair workshop about AI and the Metaverse!
- XR Expo Virtuelle Welten (8-9 May, Stuttgart, Germany) – Interesting industry conferences in Germany, jointly organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, and Tourism Baden-Württemberg and the VDC. Great venue (Porsche Arena, the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer Hall and the Maritim Hotel). It aims at professionals and everyone interested in Metaverse applications.
And a little but important reminder…
We’re counting down the days until the II International Congress “Metaverse for the Good”, on June 11-12, 2025, at the University of Alicante (Spain). The Call for Submissions is already closed. But you are still welcome to inscribe and participate as attendees, by registering here. Besides, our public consultation on emerging technologies in Spain has now closed. We’re excited to share the results, which we’ve developed with Inmersiva, on June 13, the final day of the Congress.
We look forward to seeing you in Alicante!
Ana Castejón Grao
Javier López-Guzmán
