Introduction – Virtual Worlds, solving real world problems

Virtual Worlds (VW) represent a transformative convergence of physical and digital realities, creating immersive environments where users can interact, work, learn and play in unprecedented ways. This Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda identifies the required foundational concepts and technological advancements driving VW, highlighting their potential to revolutionise various sectors, including industry, entertainment, education, and commerce. By examining the interplay between augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or mixed reality (MR) and other emerging technologies like Digital Twins (DT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of VWs' prospects and associated research and innovation gaps. A deeper exploration of VWs' impact on society and the economy gives context to the application and technology perspectives.

VW are persistent, immersive environments, based on technologies including 3D and extended reality (XR), which make it possible to blend physical and digital worlds in real-time, for a variety of purposes such as designing, making simulations, collaborating, learning, socialising, carrying out transactions or providing entertainment.

Vision of the future

Imagine a world where VW are fully established, seamlessly blending physical and digital realities to create immersive environments that redefine our daily lives and are key enablers to solve real world problems. Consumers experience unparalleled levels of engagement and personalisation, with virtual shopping and cultural experiences that enrich real-world interactions and entertainment options that transport them to fantastical realms. Workers benefit from enhanced collaboration and productivity, leveraging virtual workspaces that transcend geographical boundaries and enable real-time interaction with DT and collaboration with colleagues worldwide. Moreover, VW enable us to upskill labour forces safely and fast through virtual training, closely mimicking real world scenarios.

Defence and security personnel train in hyper-realistic simulations, preparing for diverse scenarios with unprecedented precision and adaptability. Civil servants utilise VW to streamline public services, offering virtual consultations and interactive platforms that improve accessibility and efficiency. Doctors and nurses get access to enhanced medical training and can provide better patient care and collaborative diagnostic. VW foster a new era of social inclusion, where individuals from all walks of life can connect, share experiences, and build communities in virtual spaces that reflect their interests and identities.

Enabling technologies such as AI, 5G/6G connectivity and blockchain play a role in realising this vision. This research agenda will rely on associated partnerships' agendas and leverage these technological advancements to explore and develop VW. It will consider other ongoing associated research activities within the EU landscape increasing the synergies and maximizing the benefits.

Europe's strategic imperative for competitiveness, autonomy, and societal well-being is increasingly intertwined with its leadership in VW. By proactively investing in the development of a human-centric European VW ecosystem, the continent can unlock substantial economic growth, create new high-value jobs, and drive innovation across key sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and education. This pursuit of digital autonomy within virtual spaces ensures that European values of privacy, transparency, and inclusivity are embedded by design, preventing reliance on external actors and fostering an open, interoperable, and ethically sound digital future that truly empowers its citizens and strengthens its global standing.

The outline of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda

Applications and opportunities in 7 key sectors

The development and expansion of Virtual Worlds (VW) involve a diverse array of stakeholders, including technology companies, content creators, and end-users. The key players in the VW ecosystem range from major corporations to independent developers, user communities, research institutes and public services. In Chapter 1 we address seven domains and identify key use cases to drive associated technology development priorities:

• a. Industry and logistics
• b. Healthcare and well-being
• c. Media and entertainment
• d. Arts and culture
• e. Education and training
• f. Security and defence
• g. Cities and public administration

We explore the roles and interests of various stakeholders per use case, highlighting the collaborative efforts required to build and sustain value adding VW. By mapping out the landscape of key players, we gain insights into the dynamics shaping VW' growth and evolution.

Technical outlook and challenges

The identified VW use cases, present several technical challenges that must be addressed to realise their full potential. Chapter 2 examines these challenges, grouped into the following categories:

• a. Visualisation, sensing, devices and immersion
• b. Real-time user interaction
• c. Authoring and experience design
• d. Standardisation and interoperability
• e. Digital Twins, assets, and people
• f. Applied Artificial Intelligence for Virtual Worlds

By identifying and analysing the research topics, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the research gaps in the path towards a European competitive positioning for VW.

Socio-economic outlook and challenges

VW have far-reaching implications for society and the economy, influencing how we live, work, and interact. Chapter 3 delves into the potential societal and economic impacts of VW, from changes in social behaviour and communication to new business models and economic opportunities. We discuss both the positive and negative aspects of these implications, considering issues such as digital divide, privacy, health, legal and ethical concerns. The following sections are presented:

• a. Human rights, safety, participation and societal values
• b. Governance and law enforcement
• c. Economics and innovation
• d. Sustainability, health and environment
• e. Trust and human oversight

The European research and innovation context

The European Commission is advancing a comprehensive strategy to position Europe as a leader in the development and governance of VW and Web 4.0. Chapter 4 examines the European research and innovation context:

• a. Data governance, analytics and processing
• b. Infrastructure, networks, and compute
• c. Optics and Photonics

A scientific roadmap for technological developments

This document aims to present a scientific roadmap that outlines a strategic path for the responsible, inclusive, and innovative development of VW that would enable Europe to tackle real world challenges. By systematically addressing technological, ethical, social, and governance challenges across these horizons, Europe can ensure its leadership in shaping sustainable, equitable, and secure digital future.

Short-term technological developments (3-5 Years)

In the short term, real-time user interaction and immersion will be enhanced through the development of ergonomic extended reality XR hardware and adaptive systems that mitigate motion sickness and physical strain. To promote inclusivity and creativity, accessible authoring environments such as low-code and no-code platforms are being introduced alongside comprehensive accessibility standards.

Concurrently, AI-driven content creation is advancing with the implementation of generative models that streamline immersive content generation and AI-assisted moderation tools to govern these environments. Addressing regulatory and ethical obligations, adaptive governance frameworks aligned with the GDPR, AI Act, and Data Act are being implemented, including certification mechanisms to ensure robust data governance and protection practices.

Mid-term technological developments (5-7 Years)

Looking to the mid-term horizon, development focuses on integrating advanced XR hardware with improved optical systems and rich sensory experiences, as well as deploying scalable cloud-edge infrastructure to support immersive content delivery. Human-centric AI interaction is also gaining traction, marked by the creation of multimodal interaction frameworks and context-aware virtual avatars capable of adaptive responses.

Long-term technological developments (7-10 Years)

Over the long term, research will explore next-generation immersive technologies such as neuromorphic computing and bio-integrated sensors, alongside brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for seamless integration of neural input, smart haptics and device-free interaction. Future virtual environments are envisioned to be adaptive and context-aware, with AI models capable of self-evolution, leveraging edge computing and DT ecosystems.

Socio-economic impact of Virtual Worlds

Expected economic impact of Virtual Worlds in Europe

VW are expected to significantly reshape Europe's economic landscape, offering substantial growth and job creation opportunities across various sectors. The global market for VW is projected to experience substantial growth, expanding from an estimated €27 billion in 2022 to over €800 billion by 2030. The European Commission is ready to play a pivotal role in accelerating the development and widespread adoption of VW across member states.

Job creation

Beyond GDP growth, the proliferation of VW is set to generate significant employment opportunities. Forecasts indicate the creation of approximately 860,000 new jobs related to XR technologies in Europe by 2025. These new roles will span various fields, including virtual world architecture, content creation, and specialized technical development, necessitating substantial investment in reskilling and upskilling initiatives for the existing workforce.

Sectoral impact and opportunities

VW are poised to revolutionize numerous sectors, driving efficiency, innovation, and new service models:

• Industry and logistics: VW applications will enable intelligent, resilient, and connected operations, fostering more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable digital processes.
• Healthcare and well-being: VW will facilitate advancements in health services, supporting clinical decisions and personalized treatments through technologies like the European Virtual Human Twin.
• Education and training: Immersive virtual environments offer more engaging and effective learning experiences, particularly for developing soft skills and foreign language proficiency.
• Public services: VW can enhance public services, with initiatives like "CitiVerse" aimed at improving urban planning and management, and the development of Local Digital Twins.
• Arts and culture: VW will enable immersive cultural experiences, allowing access to virtual museums and galleries, thereby broadening reach and engagement.
• Agriculture: Virtual solutions can provide remote assistance for machinery operation and more precise animal treatment, boosting productivity and safety.

A more detailed presentation of the socioeconomic impact of VW will be the exclusive focus of Chapter 3.