An EU initiative on Web 4.0 and virtual worlds: a head start in the next technological transition

Summary:

Communication adopted by the European Commission on 11 July 2023, setting out a strategy focusing on Web 4.0 and virtual worlds.

Further information:

The Commission's Communication on the long-term competitiveness in the European Union (EU) published earlier in 2023 identified Web 4.0 as a ground-breaking technological transition towards a world where everything is seamlessly interconnected. The European Council urged the EU in March 2023 to remain at the forefront of Web 4.0 development. Virtual worlds are seen as an important part of this transition to Web 4.0.

This Communication was adopted by the European Commission on 11 July 2023, and it sets out the strategy and proposed actions on virtual worlds and Web 4.0. The accompanying Staff Working Document provides background information on the stakeholder consultations, overall market trends, opportunities for the various industrial ecosystems, technological trends and the current regulatory framework.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

Politico, 11/07/2023: Europe’s agenda for… not ‘the metaverse’ https://www.politico.com/newsletters/digital-future-daily/2023/07/11/europes-agenda-for-not-the-metaverse-00105730

---

News

EurActiv, 06/07/2023: EU Commission to set out its vision on the metaverse, Web 4.0 https://www.euractiv.com/section/platforms/news/leak-eu-commission-to-set-out-its-vision-on-the-metaverse-web-4-0/

Politico, 11/07/2023: The Commission wants the EU to lead on ‘Web 4.0’ — whatever that is https://www.politico.eu/article/the-commission-wants-the-eu-to-lead-in-web-4-0-come-again/

Reuters, 11/07/2023: EU looks to take lead in metaverse world, avoid Big Tech dominance https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-looks-take-lead-metaverse-world-avoid-big-tech-dominance-2023-07-11/

---

Official

EUR-LEX: SWD(2023)250: Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2023:250:FIN

European Commission: Press Release, 11/07/2023: Towards the next technological transition: Commission presents EU strategy to lead on Web 4.0 and virtual worlds https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3718

European Commission: Questions and Answers: EU initiative on Web 4.0 and virtual worlds: A head start in the next technological transition (11 July 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_23_3719

---