. “Within the next two or three years, I predict most virtual meetings will move from 2D camera image grids—which I call themodel, although I know that probably dates me—to the metaverse, a 3D space with digital avatars,” he said.
Managing expectations, Gates notes that it will take time to build a virtual workplace in the metaverse. Meta and gaming platforms like Roblox and Microsoft’s Minecraft are still developing the virtual worlds that will make up the metaverse. Gates acknowledges “to accurately capture your expressions, body language, and the quality of your voice,” we’ll need tech devices, such as VR headsets and possibly motion-capture gloves.
Companies such as Glimpse are hard at work. Bentovim, a Yale MBA and former hedge fund money manager, understands the concept of making big bets, but also believes in diversification. Since this is a wide open space, in an effort to take an open approach, Glimpse isn't betting on only one company or one industry. He has a number of verticals focusing on different aspects running from augmented reality in education and the sciences to data and financial services.
Founded in 2017, D-ID started off as a “de-identificaton” company, with software that aims to protect people’s digital photos and videos from unauthorized automated facial recognition technologies. The company has since gone on to create products that can animate still photos and facilitate high-quality video productions using AI and machine learning. These are the cool photos you’ve seen online of old black and white photos of people animated to look lifelike.