My understanding of the metaverse is as a collection of virtual spaces that are very immersive and experiential … but, at its core, are meant to bring people and communities together and build connectivity. As it pertains to SAG-AFTRA, we’re going to see a lot of ways that it engages entertainment, but also work itself and fostering a sense of camaraderie.

Shaine Griffin

SAG-AFTRA Manager, Contract Strategic Initiatives

The metaverse, a virtual-reality space in which users can interact within a computer-generated environment, is gaining popularity among tech experts and developers. But little can be predicted about the ways the space will change collective understanding of social media and entertainment in the not-too-distant future.

The SAG-AFTRA President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement broadcast the Influencers and Actors in the Metaverse panel on April 18. Panelists included SAG-AFTRA Manager of Contract Strategic Initiatives Shaine Griffin; Calaxy Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Solo Ceesay; Amazon Web Services Senior Business Development Manager, Amazon Managed Blockchain Charles Okochu; and Unity Technologies Director of Live Entertainment Boo Wang. Moderating the panel was SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.

In addition to discussing the advent of the metaverse and its most recent developments, the speakers forecast the ways in which the space will change how entertainment will be consumed by audiences and the opportunities and risks poised to the industry and society at large. It was also a chance to deep-dive into how SAG-AFTRA is positioning itself to ensure its members gain a foothold in the spac while also protecting their work.

Influencers and Actors in the Metaverse took place on Jan. 5 as part of Future Shock: The Tech & Trends Changing Entertainment, as part of CES 2023’s C Space Studio programming. CES is owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association and is an influential tech event among manufacturers, developers and suppliers.

This and other panels, interviews and webinars are available at sagaftra.org/videos.

The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply SAG-AFTRA’s endorsement.

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