On November 3, 2021, Seoul made the announcement that it would be the first city government to join the metaverse. The major South Korean city stated that it is planning to offer a range of services and cultural events. It will become available to the public on the metaverse platform. The metaverse is what is known as the immersive internet landscape that is based on virtual reality.
When the plan turns out to be a success, the Korean capital’s residents can do an array of tasks, such as filing municipal complaints and visiting a historic site. All these and more while wearing virtual reality goggles.
The city’s mayor, Oh Se-hoon, bared the 10-year plan that targets the improvement of social mobility among its citizens. Plus, it will also raise the city’s global competitiveness. The $3.3 million (3.9 billion won) investment will tap into the nationwide plan to embrace digital and AI tools. The program, known as Digital New Deal, may improve healthcare, infrastructure, and the economy on its road to recover from the economic crisis brought about by covid-19.
How It Operates
By the end of 2022, the metropolitan government of Seoul will finish the development of its metaverse platform. The estimated time that it will be operational is in 2026, hosting multiple functions geared towards public services. This will include a virtual mayor’s office, areas to serve the business sector, a fintech incubator, and an investment organization, among many others.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) tentatively named the platform “Metaverse Seoul”. And they will hold a virtual new year’s bell-ringing ceremony come December this year. In 2023, they will also open “Metaverse 120 Center,” a place where they will hold virtual public services. In the plan, avatars will manage the concerns of the citizens that were formerly handled only by physically going to the city hall.
Details about the devices that the citizens will use to get access to the metaverse platform aren’t specified yet. City officials have emphasized their goal to provide more comprehensive access to public services for all its citizens. This is notwithstanding geography or disabilities. This, even with the understanding that specialized equipment may not be easy to use and have for some people. As of today, headsets for virtual reality use cost $300 up to $600. It’s not as inexpensive and accessible as computers and smartphones.
The Next Frontier for Cities Worldwide
A “smart cities” movement is gaining traction as municipal governments are using digital technology and real-time data to optimize their operations. It is suspected that the metaverse may just be the next evolution. While the workings of the metaverse are still unclear, even for companies that are building them, Seoul has stepped up to be one of the first to enter it.
The major South Korean city will be using artificial intelligence for its sewer and wastewater monitoring. In the works are AI chatbots as public concierges, ready to answer every question and complaint the citizens have that are related to services such as parking and Covid-19.
Earlier this year, Seoul has already rolled out plans for the Citywide Public IoT Network. This is the city’s series of sensors and stations scattered all over the city to gather data on traffic, public safety, and other environmental metrics.
Facebook, now Meta, Nike, And Microsoft are only but a few of the companies that are already building the future of the metaverse. They are already staking their claims on digital real estate. Seoul is one of the first to enter and be part of the virtual public square. Their hope is to offer accessibility to the wonders that the metaverse promises.
