Microsoft to Scale the Industrial Metaverse in 2024

Today, at Microsoft Inspire 2023, a showcase event covering the firm’s latest innovations. Microsoft quietly teased information regarding an industrial metaverse initiative. 

As part of its AI Cloud Partner Program, which sees Microsoft team up with leading technology companies to fuel growth and innovation towards enterprise-grade AI, Microsoft will start supporting efforts to grow industrial metaverse solutions – and related technologies.  

Fuleing the Industrial Metaverse 

Alongside its journey to scale and empower end-users with data and AI solutions via the partner program, it appears that Microsoft will also direct part of its growth plan towards immersive enterprise solutions.  

Details are elusive because Microsoft plans to reveal more information regarding its industrial Metaverse journey next year. 

However, based on the information from Microsoft, the firm is driving industrial Metaverse innovation in its AI Cloud Partner Program. 

The partnership will innovate AI, Cloud, and Metaverse solutions to increase enterprise end-user productivity, resiliency, and sustainability. 

The firm also offers a “curated learning path” to provide end-users with resources to introduce workplace XR technology. 

Microsoft to Leverage Multiple Emerging Technologies in Metaverse Vision

Microsoft highlighted the core technologies to power its industrial metaverse solution ecosystem in its Industrial Metaverse Curated Learning Path documentation. 

Of its focus technologies, Microsoft is leveraging the following to empower workforces with an industrial metaverse vision: 

• AI and ML, which includes Microsoft Co-Pilot and Azure OpenAI. 
• Analytics and Data, including Azure Databricks, Synapse Analytics (2024), Microsoft Fabric (2024), Microsoft Purview, and Power Platform. 
• Mixed Reality, including D365 Field Service, D365 Guides, D365 Remote Assist, HoloLens 2, and Azure Maps. 
• Simulation via Microsoft’s Azure HPC product.  
• Cloud to Edge, including Azure Arc, Azure Kubernetes Services, AAD, Defender for Cloud, Microsoft Sentinel, and Azure IoT. 
• Finally, Microsoft will include Azure Digital Twins in its industrial metaverse ecosystem.  

Moreover, Microsoft will reveal more details on its industrial Metaverse in early 2024 when it launches its public preview period.  

Industrial Metaverse the Bigger Picture

Microsoft is approaching the industrial Metaverse at the right time; according to studies, audiences are very much ready for the technology. However, many pillars must exist to support the technology’s promise.

For example, the news comes following the European Commission’s (EC) launch of a regulation initiative to stimulate competition across enterprise-grade Metaverse Service Providers. The regulations aim to stop big technology firms from dominating the space.

The EC expects the market for virtual worlds and the Metaverse to grow from its €27 billion valuation in 2022 to over €800 billion by 2030. Moreover, the group aims to “connect virtual world developers with industry users, invest in the uptake and scale-up of new technologies, and give people the tools and the skills to safely and confidently use virtual worlds,” said Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market.

The EC is also looking into ways to promote digital skills, business, infrastructure, and public services, via its regulatory metaverse guidelines.

Additionally, other players are continuing massive investments into the industrial metaverse space. Siemens is investing roughly €1 billion into enterprise-grade Metaverse solutions that will assist the German region lead in technology innovation.

Moreover, Siemens is looking to become “the nucleus of global technology activities for the industrial metaverse” with its significant investment.