Initiatives

RMA Builders Think Tank

The RMA will be hosting our first Metaverse Builders Think Tank on the 18th October, 2022 at 9am AEDT on Zoom for designers, artists, creatives, NFT builders, infrastructure providers, smaller hardware providers, developers and other related servces to the Metaverse.

Our goal is to bring together people and organisations who provide services to metaverse related platforms to gauge interest in participating in a Responsible Metaverse initiative. We wish to explore different avenues for designers, creators and developers to influence a global policy agenda for a responsible metaverse and to create a network of people who support the metaverse being a safe, secure, diverse and inclusive place for all.

If you haven’t signed up and wish to join us, please register your interest here: info@responsiblemetaverse.org. Feel free to extend the invite to colleagues or friends providing services in this domain.

Metaverse Policy Think Tank

The RMA hosted our first Metaverse Policy Think Tank on the 5th of October, 2022 with key policy makers, politicians and regulators both Australia and internationally. The aim of the Think Tank was to validate the interest of attendees to participate in a Global Metaverse Policy Forum and identify opportunities to collaborate with policy stakeholders on Responsible Metaverse initiatives.

Amongst others, key participants included:

  • Minister for Digital and Customer Service, NSW Government – MP Victor Dominello
  • Australian Human Rights Commissioner
  • Australian eSafety Commissioner
  • Information Commissioner – NSW
  • Department of Home Affairs – Australian Federal Government
  • IP Australia
  • Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency (ANZPAA)
  • Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC), New Zealand
  • Digital Safety, Toi Hiranga, Regulation & Policy, Te Tari Taiwhenua, Department of Internal Affairs, New Zealand (NZ based)
  • Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC)
  • NSW Police Force
  • Crimestoppers
  • Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
  • Unanimous AI
  • XR Safety Initiative

The discussion noted the fast growth and significant opportunities that the metaverse provides – then focused on the unprecedented risks that the metaverse poses.

These risks include but are not limited to: identity fraud, harassment and abuse, sex related harms, mental and emotional health risks, financial risks, scams, intellectual property risks, contract risks, data privacy and control risks, national security, and terrorism threats.

In particular Julie Inman-Grant (eSafety Commissioner) and Kavya Pearlman (XRSI) noted that the experience of children in the metaverse should be focused on as distinct issue and priority.

Louis Rosenberg (Chief Scientist – RMA) shared his views on the need for regulation related to the transparency of AI-driven virtual avatars.

Discussions also centred on risks in policing, crime and terrorism, with the New Zealand government staking a strong position on these topics, along with the NSW Police and Crimestoppers.

Minister Victor Dominello MP (Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government) noted that the NSW Government will be releasing a NSW Government Metaverse strategy in November 2022, work supported by the Gradient Institute.

The Policy Think Tank participants agreed on the need for a Global Metaverse Policy Convening forum.

We now invite other policy makers to join in this global movement to create a Responsible Metaverse. Please reach out to info@responsiblemetaverse.org

A paper will be prepared summarising the discussions in the Metaverse Policy Think Tank and shared with RMA members.

Potential initiatives for the RMA

The RMA may undertake the following:

1. Educate politicians and policy makers on the metaverse

2. Create a Metaverse Experience Lab where key decision makers can experience full immersion in 3D and virtual worlds

3. Engage with key players in the metaverse so that they can share progress and plans

4. Work with metaverse designers, artists and creatives to develop best practices

5. Establish guidance for developing effective cultural and behavioural standards in the metaverse

6. Advise potential policy makers and regulators on the risks and harms of the metaverse

7. Bring attention to how the metaverse could be used for good - eg accessibility benefits; a lack of scarcity

8. Develop frameworks, guidelines, proposed regulations for a Responsible Metaverse

9. Work with diversity and inclusion groups to understand issues related to minority groups, the vulnerable and underserved communities

10. Advocate or lobby interest groups related to the metaverse

11. Advise on the design of an Access and Inclusion strategy for metaverse platform providers

12. Other activities related to safe practices, best practice, regulation and ethical implementation of the metaverse