The metaverse isn’t just the future, it’s already here and growing in every direction. But with so many players and users expanding in the space, the boundaries between metaverse platforms are becoming more cumbersome and complex. Flora Lau and Terry Dugan of the New York City Bar Association Digital Technologies Task Force host Larry Goldberg, a pioneer in media accessibility, and Debbie Rosenbaum, a leading attorney at Meta with extensive experience in Oculus and immersive spaces. They share their thoughts on developing cross-platform standards for the metaverse, discuss the role of avatars and digital identity, and explore the challenges of making the metaverse inclusive for people with disabilities. The episode explores technical challenges, policy considerations, and the importance of social norms within virtual environments. Key topics include interoperability, the economics of digital assets, and the potential for innovative applications in extended reality.

Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3AFroym

Listen to our first podcast episode on the metaverse: What Is the Metaverse, Really? https://bit.ly/3AE39AK

Want to learn more about developing standards and best-practices for emerging technologies? Join us at the City Bar’s upcoming CLE program on October 10: Guidelines for Users and Developers of AI Powered Technologies (https://bit.ly/4dSBYAA). (This program will be available on-demand thereafter.) Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events.

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast
00:39 Introducing the Guests: Larry Goldberg and Debbie Rosenbaum
02:35 Larry Goldberg's Journey in Accessibility
03:54 Debbie Rosenbaum's Metaverse Experience
06:39 Meta's Vision for the Metaverse
07:41 Challenges and Innovations in Cross-Platform Standards
11:26 The Role of AR Glasses and Accessibility
25:21 The Future of Avatars and Digital Identity
29:05 Challenges of Avatar Customization
29:30 Avatar Rights and Legal Issues
32:36 Social Norms in the Metaverse
37:29 Early Days of the Metaverse
43:38 Interoperability and Business Drivers
46:11 Decentralization and Future Prospects
49:33 Final Thoughts and Takeaways