Events

DigiTalk Series ~ Metaverse: What it Means for Development

April 4, 2022

Online

MULTIMEDIA

VIDEO

DigiTalk Series ~ Metaverse: What it Means for development

The metaverse is in its infancy but is generating much interest. Even though the technologies underpinning the metaverse are still developing, many experts believe that the concept can potentially change how we interact with each other and the world. The transition to the metaverse is likely to be as significant as the transformation from analog to digital.

But what exactly is the metaverse, and what does it mean for developing countries? This webinar explores the concept of the metaverse and spells out some of its opportunities and risks. It also touches upon emergent metaverse solutions in education, training and urban development.

The Digital Development Global Practice, in collaboration with the World Bank’s Technology and Innovation Lab and the Data Ecosystems CoP, is hosting the webinar "Metaverse: What it Means for Development" as a part of its Digital Development Program of Seminars.

Read recently published World Bank blogs on the Metaverse:

PRESENTATIONS
SPEAKERS

Technical Brief: Introducing the Metaverse (Rachel Halseman)
Can the Metaverse Offer Benefits to Developing Countries? (Randeep Sudan)
Mark Williams - Moderator

Practice Manager, Global Knowledge and Expertise, Digital Development Global Practice
Moderator Mark is an economist with over 20 years of experience in the economics, regulation, and strategy of the digital sector, covering a range of specialist areas including strategy, policy, regulation, financial analysis corporate restructuring, and litigation. Mark has worked in some of the world’s leading economic consulting firms - NERA, Frontier Economics, Deloitte, and Berkeley Research Group. Previously in his career, he spent six years as an economist in the World Bank’s Global ICT team focusing on analytical work and operations in the Middle East and Africa.

Randeep Sudan - Presenter

founder of Multiverz
Presenter Multiverz a Singapore-based social impact enterprise that offers digital solutions to help organizations and individuals prepare for the future. He was previously the Practice Manager, Information and Communication Technologies at the World Bank. Randeep, in his role, supported developing countries on policies and programs relating to broadband infrastructure, mobile networks, digital services, and ICT industry development. Before joining the World Bank, he worked as a member of the Indian Administrative Service. He was a key member of the leadership team that helped the state of Andhra Pradesh in India to make significant progress in digital government and contributed to Hyderabad’s transformation as an important international destination for Information Technology (IT) and IT-based services.

Rachel Alexandra Halsema - Presenter

IT Officer at the World Bank Group
Presenter As part of the Technology and Innovation Lab, she conducts research on emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain / DLT, 5G, IoT, Edge and quantum as applicable to development challenges. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in Russian Language and Literature and a Master’s degree in Information Systems Technology from the George Washington University. In 2009, she rode her bicycle 3,800+ miles across the United States and Canada to raise money and awareness for the cause of affordable housing.

Diego F. Angel-Urdinola - Discussant

Human Development Economist for the Education Global Practice at the World Bank,
Discussant Diego leads lending operations, technical assistance, and applied research in the areas of education, skills, TVET, and jobs. His work experience includes various developing countries and regions, especially Latin America, Europe and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and North Africa. He has led high level technical assistance programs and a varied portfolio of investment operations. Diego has published articles, including the Journal of Economic Inequality, Journal of International Development, IZA Journal of Labor Policy, Labour Economics, Development Policy Review, Journal of Human Capital. Diego has Ph.D. in Economics from Georgetown University.

Sheila Jagannathan - Discussant

Head of the Open Learning Campus at the World Bank
Discussant Sheila serves as the organization’s focal point on digital learning and issues at the intersection of technology use and education in emerging countries. She is an internationally recognized thought leader with over 35 years of experience in leading capability building, human capital development, and transformation change across public and private organizations. Her specialties include experiential pedagogy, online/hybrid strategies, immersive learning (AR/VR), use of disruptive (AI/MI, IoT, Blockchain, 5G) technologies in education, data analytics, LXPs, LMS, and learning ecosystems.

Jimmy Vainstein - Discussant

leads the Interactive Media Program for the World Bank Group
Discussant His efforts brought the deployment of immersive tools such as Virtual and Augmented Reality across the organization enhancing communications efforts, support field operations and decision making for true impact. Jimmy has a Bachelor in Economics and a Master’s of Science from the School of Media Sciences from the Rochester Institute of Technology.