Europe needs ‘Airbus for the metaverse’ to become global Web4 leader

LSE Consulting, a firm based at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), has proposed a way for Europe to lead in the emerging Web 4.0 sector. Their plan involves creating an industrial conglomerate similar to Airbus, which was formed when European aerospace companies merged in 2000 and is now the world’s leading manufacturer of airliners and helicopters. According to LSE Consulting, Europe could use this model for the metaverse to remain competitive with the U.S., China, and other leaders.


A report from LSE Consulting, which is connected to the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), has proposed a possible route for Europe to establish leadership in the rapidly advancing Web 4.0 technology sector.

The EU can enhance competition with major metaverse innovators like the U.S., China, and others by establishing an industrial conglomerate akin to Airbus, focusing on fostering innovation and growth in the metaverse. This strategic move could maximize Europe’s existing technological and economic capabilities.

As a researcher, I would describe Airbus as follows: Airbus is a globally recognized entity that emerged from the merger of three prominent European aerospace companies – French, German, and Spanish – back in the year 2000. Currently, it stands alone atop the global market as the leading manufacturer of both commercial aircraft and helicopters, a position it has held since 2019.

As a researcher examining the metaverse market, I’d highlight the significance of its cross-border incorporation and European companies’ strategic focus on maintaining their leading role in the global aerospace industry.

According to the team’s findings, using an Airbus model for the metaverse could help place Europe at the forefront of the Web 4.0 evolution.

“An immersive industrial cluster will contribute to specialised internet engineering expertise in Europe. While national and regional governments must support engineering and research education programmes more broadly, immersive technologies can also make these programmes more attractive.”

In their report, LSE Consulting highlighted several successful examples of European companies, including BMW, Ikea, Bosch Sensortec GmbH, Ericsson, and STMicroelectronics, who have made strides in metaverse technology. Building on this momentum, LSE Consulting proposed the following recommendations to further develop this sector:

The report advocates for the creation of an international team-up, akin to Airbus in the aviation industry, to drive European innovation in the metaverse and maintain global competitiveness.

As an analyst, I would recommend focusing on supplying the necessary skills training to our European workforce in order to prepare them for driving innovation within the metaverse.

In conclusion, the report advocates for the government’s involvement in creating groundbreaking transnational answers to emerging issues and establishing universal guidelines for implementation.

Michael Barngrover, the Managing Director at XR4Europe, commented that there are several promising options for Europe’s future. However, he emphasized that the suggestions put forth by the researchers at London School of Economics add valuable insights to the ongoing debates about which paths to pursue.

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2024-04-28 20:10