Microsoft Reportedly Closes Down the Industrial Metaverse Project
Software giant Microsoft has decided to close down its metaverse
project group, which was dedicated to developing and promoting the industrial
metaverse. The company has reportedly terminated the Industrial Metaverse Core
Group, comprising 100 employees, as part of the layoff plan announced in
January.
Microsoft Disbands its Industrial Metaverse Group
Microsoft, the US software giant, has decided to disband the
metaverse project in favor of artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. The
company has announced the disbandment of the Industrial Metaverse Core Group, a
division of the company for the metaverse's development in industrial
environments.
The Metaverse Core Group, which was formed four months ago,
served as a bridge for the implementation of metaverse interfaces to control
electrical power plants, industrial robotics, and transportation networks. The
division was part of an initiative to bridge the software gap and power the
metaverse into industrial environments.
The total hundred employees of the group have been laid off. However,
Microsoft has said that the products built by the group will continue to be
supported in the future. The company stated:
"We are applying our focus to the areas of the industrial
metaverse that matter most to our customers, and they will see no change in how
they are supported. We look forward to sharing additional
information in the future."
Microsoft previously announced in January that it would lay off
10,000 employees as part of a restructuring plan.
Microsoft to Focus on AI
The recent turn of events indicates that Microsoft is shifting
its focus and resources from metaverse initiatives to artificial intelligence
(AI). The layoffs have already impacted other metaverse projects, too. The
employees from the metaverse platform AltspaceVR, which announced its closure
by March, and the Mixed Reality Tool Kit are also being laid off.
Since January, the software giant seems to have focused on
investing in AI-based startups. The company disclosed a
"multi-year, multibillion-dollar investment" in Openai, the company
behind the development of GPT-3, and its ChatGPT interface in January 2023.
Microsoft has recently announced the
inclusion of ChatGPT in Bing, its search engine, and its web browser, Edge.
Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, stated:
"AI will fundamentally change every software category,
starting with the largest category of all—search."
What is your take on Microsoft disbanding the Metaverse Core Group? Please post your comments.
0 Comments