Building standard governance procedures for the Metaverse has been a critical concern since Day One of the recent reimagination of the space. Organizations with significant Metaverse investments are already developing in-house Metaverse governance protocols.
Most recently, Unilever revealed plans for a dedicated Web3 Collective to discuss and implement governance strategies for its Metaverse operations. Of course, the ultimate goal is for a unified governance structure. However, until then, you can work in-house to develop governance models that will inform your future operations.
Building on Existing Platforms
It’s not as straightforward as you might hope to create bespoke governance features on some of the best-known platforms such as Decentraland and The Sandbox. However, when you start in the Metaverse, you will probably choose to piggyback on an existing platform.
In this case, one way you can set up a governance structure is through a community-powered, decentralized autonomous organization, or DAO. In this case, let’s focus on the Decentraland DAO.
You can utilize the Decentraland DAO to submit proposals that, if accepted, will receive grant funding. As an organization keen to establish ongoing governance, this resource is excellent for making suggestions on governance issues. These will filter down not only into your projects, but also related projects. It’s a powerful tool.
Bespoke Platforms
It is much easier to develop governance protocols for a new Metaverse project than to attempt to shoehorn them into an existing platform to compete with its own protocols. So, what should you consider?
Data privacy: Data protection is a serious concern for Metaverse projects as there will be a huge amount of related data flowing freely and quickly. Consider using a data governance tool to ensure to manage and secure this data, so users can rest assured that powerful technologies are monitoring the use and visibility of their data.
Safeguarding: There are many layers to safeguarding in the Metaverse. Firstly, you need to consider age appropriateness, but beyond this, you should consider developing systems that prevent inappropriate incursion on personal space. In addition, you should consider applying algorithms that prohibit offensive language. Even if your first Metaverse projects are company-facing and some of these measures seem misplaced, they still need governance procedures, so make sure to establish those early, before you open anything up to the public.
AI-assistance: AI bots can help you patrol your Metaverse spaces. As well as logging issues, they can offer help and guidance. Eventually, when you confirm the Metaverse standards that will act as a decree for how your platforms will be governed, you can even deploy bots to police them.
Final Thoughts
As I mentioned in the opener to this article, the ultimate aim is to provide a unified governance structure. Your efforts will not go unnoticed, as the industry is still so young. Suppose you can come up with a viable governance structure that other organizations can quickly adapt. In that case, you will not only benefit your platforms, but also contribute to a better functioning Metaverse ecosystem.
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