WAKE UP is a project aimed at addressing a very recent phenomenon that is starting to become more and more popular, the Metaverse. According to experts, the Metaverse isn't a specific platform or brand, but a new virtual space that overcomes the limitation of screens by combining real and virtual environments. This virtual reality can be accessed through special devices such as virtual or augmented reality glasses, with which users can interact with other users and with which communities, products, commerce, workspaces, entertainment, creators and much more become connected.
Throughout the development and implementation of WAKE UP, the consortium aims to create a detailed e--learning platform, which will explain in a straightforward and simplified manner that is comprehensible for young people, the meaning of the term “Metaverse” and all the possibilities it offers in the fields of learning, communication with or between experts, business creation and exploitation, tourism or even medical advancements and solutions, as well as all the risks that this virtual universe implies and that drastically affect users' mental and physical health and economic power.
The main needs WAKE UP aims to address after the completion of its activities are:
- The need to ensure that citizens have a trustworthy and reliable source of detailed information they can consult at any time
- The need to debunk hoaxes circulating around the internet which might confuse citizens and especially younger generations
- The need to make people aware of all the risks associated to the metaverse, in an attempt of preventing them and trying to encourage users themselves to apply measures to 'protect' themselves physically, psychologically and virtually (data protection, cybersecurity)
- The need to enlighten people about the diversity of opportunities offered by the metaverse and the possibilities it offers to lower income classes with more difficulties to access resources, participate in activities or even create an enterprise
- The need to prepare society for the next generation of the Internet, offering them equal opportunities for high quality jobs that Meta is expected to open and helping them to search profitable ideas that will improve their economic situation
- The need to particularly inform people about Horizon Worlds as it is the most innovative and quickly expanding game in the metaverse (created by Meta)