Facebook “Meta” Announcement Should Kick-Start Policy Discussions about the Future of AR/VR, Says ITIF

WASHINGTON—Following Facebook’s announcement to re-brand as “Meta,” the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, released the following statement from policy analyst, Ellysse Dick:

Facebook’s announcement shows that AR/VR is quickly coming of age, and lawmakers and regulators should start considering the opportunities it opens and the questions it poses.

Twenty years ago nobody fully understood the impact that social media would have on our world—the same is true today for the emergence of augmented reality and virtual reality, twin technologies that are set to define a new era of communication and collaboration and shape the future of entertainment, media, education, and work.

Yet there are also many important policy issues on the horizon, such as how to properly moderate virtual spaces, how to maintain privacy and security in AR/VR, and how to ensure AR/VR technology empowers and elevates individuals. We look forward to working with policymakers and the private sector as they work through these issues.