Founder of Microsoft Bill Gates often provides several predictions and forecasts that are often correct. Well, now there is Bill Gates' latest prediction: many will start doing office activities through the metaverse, the online world created by Meta -- the new name for Facebook.
Gates noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has revolutionized the workplace, with more companies offering flexibility for employees who want to work remotely (work from home or work from anywhere).
"That change will only intensify in the years to come. In the next two or three years, I expect most virtual encounters to move from a grid of 2D camera images to a metaverse, a 3D space with digital avatars," Gates wrote in his blog post.
Gates described that the virtual meeting will be attended 'directly' by the user's character in the form of 3D. Users can also interact with each other's avatars of their work colleagues.
"The idea is that you will use your avatar to meet people in a virtual space that replicates the feeling of being in an actual room with them," Gates wrote. However, it will be a little awkward, because users have to wear a headset and or virtual reality glasses to feel the experience.
Quoted from CNBC, Gates, who stepped down from Microsoft's board in 2020, added that his former company was working on adding 3D avatars and other elements of the metaverse. Of course, Gates stresses that it will take time and will on the part of users before his vision for a virtual workplace in the metaverse becomes a reality.
First of all, tech companies like Meta, and even gaming platforms like Microsoft's Roblox and Minecraft, are still developing the virtual worlds that will shape the metaverse. Gates also admits that, to accurately capture expressions, body language, and voice quality, people will need expensive technological devices, such as VR headsets and maybe even gloves to capture motion.
There's still some work to be done, says Bill Gates, but it won't be long until the metaverse makes remote work even closer.
