Conclusion

The metaverse represents a collection of powerful technologies that could significantly reshape the daily lives of the public, including how they interact with the NSW Government. The government also has an opportunity to utilise the metaverse to improve its service delivery and day-to-day operation.

Along with these opportunities come risks, particularly of large-scale unintended harm to users and the public. Preventing such harm will involve the NSW Government both as a user of the metaverse and as a regulator.

This report represents an early step by the NSW Government to prepare for the wider adoption of metaverse technology. It aims to help the government take advantage of the metaverse's benefits and to mitigate its risks. The report provides recommendations for building the government's capability through training and development, augmenting existing systems and infrastructure, and beginning to identify approaches to governance.

We believe that the information and recommendations contained in this report will assist the NSW Government in deepening its engagement with the metaverse in the future: from developing a metaverse strategy, to exploring the potential of the technology through pilot projects, and, ultimately, developing operational capability and governance.