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Socially Beneficial Metaverse: Framework, Technologies, Applications, and Challenges

Xiaolong Xu, Xuanhong Zhou, Muhammad Bilal, Sherali Zeadally, Jon Crowcroft, Lianyong Qi, Shengjun Xue

TL;DR

This paper defines the Socially Beneficial Metaverse (SB-Metaverse) and presents a three-layer framework (infrastructure, interaction, ecosystem) underpinned by 5G/edge/cloud computing, AI, IoT, and blockchain. It analyzes the evolution of the metaverse across three stages, reviews the seven-layer metaverse model, and details SB-Metaverse components, technologies, and applications. It also discusses social and non-social challenges—such as fairness, capital concentration, privacy, and interoperability—and proposes governance and cross-chain/standards-based solutions. The work highlights societal benefits, outlines concrete design principles, and suggests research directions toward scalable, secure, and inclusive SB-Metaverse deployments.

Abstract

In recent years, the maturation of emerging technologies such as Virtual Reality, Digital twins, and Blockchain has accelerated the realization of the metaverse. As a virtual world independent of the real world, the metaverse will provide users with a variety of virtual activities that bring great convenience to society. In addition, the metaverse can facilitate digital twins, which offers transformative possibilities for the industry. Thus, the metaverse has attracted the attention of the industry, and a huge amount of capital is about to be invested. However, the development of the metaverse is still in its infancy and little research has been undertaken so far. We describe the development of the metaverse. Next, we introduce the architecture of the socially beneficial metaverse (SB-Metaverse) and we focus on the technologies that support the operation of SB-Metaverse. In addition, we also present the applications of SB-Metaverse. Finally, we discuss several challenges faced by SB-Metaverse which must be addressed in the future.

Socially Beneficial Metaverse: Framework, Technologies, Applications, and Challenges

TL;DR

This paper defines the Socially Beneficial Metaverse (SB-Metaverse) and presents a three-layer framework (infrastructure, interaction, ecosystem) underpinned by 5G/edge/cloud computing, AI, IoT, and blockchain. It analyzes the evolution of the metaverse across three stages, reviews the seven-layer metaverse model, and details SB-Metaverse components, technologies, and applications. It also discusses social and non-social challenges—such as fairness, capital concentration, privacy, and interoperability—and proposes governance and cross-chain/standards-based solutions. The work highlights societal benefits, outlines concrete design principles, and suggests research directions toward scalable, secure, and inclusive SB-Metaverse deployments.

Abstract

In recent years, the maturation of emerging technologies such as Virtual Reality, Digital twins, and Blockchain has accelerated the realization of the metaverse. As a virtual world independent of the real world, the metaverse will provide users with a variety of virtual activities that bring great convenience to society. In addition, the metaverse can facilitate digital twins, which offers transformative possibilities for the industry. Thus, the metaverse has attracted the attention of the industry, and a huge amount of capital is about to be invested. However, the development of the metaverse is still in its infancy and little research has been undertaken so far. We describe the development of the metaverse. Next, we introduce the architecture of the socially beneficial metaverse (SB-Metaverse) and we focus on the technologies that support the operation of SB-Metaverse. In addition, we also present the applications of SB-Metaverse. Finally, we discuss several challenges faced by SB-Metaverse which must be addressed in the future.
Paper Structure (58 sections, 6 figures, 3 tables)

This paper contains 58 sections, 6 figures, 3 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What Is the Metaverse
  3. Definition of the Metaverse
  4. Definition of SB-Metaverse
  5. Development Process of the Metaverse
  6. Stage 1: The Classical Metaverse in the Form of Literature, Art and Religion
  7. Stage 2: The Neoclassical Metaverse in the Form of Video Games
  8. Stage 3: The Highly Intelligent Metaverse in the Form of Decentralized Applications
  9. Framework of Socially Beneficial Metaverse
  10. Seven Layers of the Metaverse
  11. Infrastructure Layer
  12. Human Interface Layer
  13. Decentralization Layer
  14. Spatial Computing Layer
  15. Creator Economy Layer
  16. ...and 43 more sections

Figures (6)

  • Figure 1: The timeline of the development of the metaverse.
  • Figure 2: The framework of the socially beneficial metaverse.
  • Figure 3: The framework of edge-cloud collaboration in the socially beneficial metaverse.
  • Figure 4: The framework of AR interactive devices using MEC in socially -beneficial metaverse.
  • Figure 5: A novel blockchain-based framework for socially beneficial metaverse applications.
  • ...and 1 more figures