A group of Australia’s most prominent and influential business leaders has come together to create The Australian Metaverse Advisory Council (AMAC) with the primary mission of advancing the adoption of virtual applications within the nation.
The AMAC has emerged as a response to the growing global interest in metaverse technologies and the need for an independent advisory body capable of representing and advocating for Australia’s interests in the context of the metaverse landscape — drawing inspiration from successful initiatives in other nations.
The central objective of the AMAC is to nurture and expand Australia’s metaverse industry while carefully considering the associated opportunities and challenges inherent in virtual reality.
The council is committed to providing educational resources, advocacy, and guidance to the Australian government, businesses, and the broader community. The counsel’s advisory scope extends to a range of emerging domains — encompassing virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and blockchain systems.
The council boasts notable figures such as Angus Stevens, CEO, and co-founder of the award-winning VR and AR studio, Start Beyond; Patricia Haueiss, a leading expert in the metaverse, Web3, and AI consulting, and a member of Australia’s Top 100 Innovators; and Oliver Weidlich, founder and Director of Design and Innovation at Contxtual. Along with six other industry representatives, they will play a pivotal role in the council’s activities.
The AMAC is scheduled to make its official debut this week at SXSW Sydney 2023, a city-wide music festival, a hub for futurist thinking, and a showcase for next-generation technology.
The formation of this council underscores the growing interest in the metaverse and the significant potential it holds for the nation.
Other countries have also recognized the opportunities and challenges presented by the metaverse and have taken proactive measures to address them.
For instance, the United Arab Emirates recently introduced a Responsible Metaverse Self-Governance Framework, prioritizing privacy, transparency, and inclusivity to create a safer and more accountable metaverse.
Similarly, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology unveiled a three-year action plan aimed at fostering metaverse innovation across various industries, with a strong focus on security and technological advancements.
