Prof. Andy Miah - The Metaverse Isn't Just Our Future

Professor Andy Miah, PhD (@andymiah), is Chair of Science Communication & Future Media, at the University of Salford, where he Directs The Science Communication Space in the School of Science, Engineering and Environment. Professor Miah’s research investigates the ethical, legal, social and cultural questions concerning technological change and his publications draw on ideas from science, technology, art, and media culture. Author of 10 books and over 150 academic articles, Professor Miah has been at the forefront of debates about how humanity is moving beyond conventional evolutionary processes and towards evolution by technology. His recent works have focused on drones, artificial intelligence, esports, digital health, and the metaverse. Prof Miah has also been interviewed and written for media around the world, including the Washington Post, The Guardian, the Independent, and the Times and he has given over 300 major invited conference presentations over the last decade, at which he is often invited to speak about the future. He regularly interviews for a range of major media companies and has appeared in over 300 outlets, including Fortune, Vogue, BBC, and regularly published with The Conversation.

Over the last 12 months, the metaverse has been widely discussed as the future of digital living, to widespread excitement and horror. However, Professor Andy Miah outlines that there is a crucial consideration that has been absent from these debates, which is that the metaverse is being designed not just for humans but as a place of coexistence with sentient machines. Arguing on behalf of the strong thesis on the metaverse - where digital and physical worlds are experienced in a seamless way - Prof Miah further advances the idea that the metaverse will be an environment where all life and non-life co-habit and that this function is crucial to safeguarding the future of life on earth.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Although the rules have changed somewhat - we're still being cautious about the threat of COVID-19.

Here are some things you could do to help look after yourself and our other attendees:

• If you have access to a lateral flow test, why not take a test before you join us? If it's positive for COVID-19, please stay at home. • If you have new symptoms of COVID-19, even if a lateral flow test is negative - we'd prefer you stay at home. We'll have other social events in the future that you can join in when you're feeling better. • If you feel comfortable and able to wear a mask while moving around the venue then please do wear one. We'll bring some spares if you'd like to wear one but forgot to bring one. • We'll also bring some hand sanitiser that you're free to use any time. • Please be respectful of other people's boundaries. Give each other plenty of space and be considerate. If you need to cough or sneeze, cough into your elbow or a tissue and throw the tissue away before sanitising your hands.