b'8 Member News March 2023Year in reviewOur year in reviewLooking back on IET highlights from 2022. Going green at Savoy Place IET London: Savoy Place, became one of only a handful of venues to secure Skills in the prestigious Connecting engineers andthe United Greengage technicians on EngX TM Arab Emirates ECOsmart platinum award. The award Open to both members andWe conducted anreflects the non-members, we launchedengineering and technologyextensive measures an online community whereskills survey in the UAEtaken at Savoy Place engineers and professionalsand presented the findingsto fully embrace within the industry canduring a visit to Dubai. 54%environmental seek advice, ask technicalof companies reported facingsustainability and questions, share besta skills shortage with 93%our commitment to practice, and discussfinding it difficult to recruit.reducing our impact solutions. engx.theiet.org http://bit.ly/3hDbvPJ on the planet.JANUARY MAY JUNEAPRIL JUNERolling out the red Our report on safeguardingcarpet at Austin Courtthe metaverse makesOur venue in Birmingham national news highlighted its We publishedtechnology and digital a report thatcapabilities by providing exploredon-site technical support both theto ensure a BBC film opportunitiespremiere ran smoothly. and potential harms of the metaverse, toSaying farewell to Nigel coincide with the UKFine after 13 yearsGovernments Online SafetyAfter over a decade at Bill going through parliament.the helm of the IET, Nigel Safeguarding the metaverse We tracked the progressFine retired as our Chief A guide to existing and future harms in virtual realityof the Bill throughout the (VR) and the metaverse to support UK immersiveExecutive and Secretary. technology policymaking.The metaverse is a comparatively recent addition toyear and engaged with umbrocabulary of the digital media landscape. It is anUnder his leadership, we the vella marketing term that brings together reality (VR), augmented elated technologies such as virtual rreality (AR), the internet, computer gaming and digitalpoliticians and policymakers communications. As a network of connected 3D virtual worlds, the metaverse provides incre, creativeased positive and industrial e opportunities in medical, leisurspace without the need for real-world proximityessed . Theprogressed our charitable sectors, allowing multiple users to interact in a virtual metavabilities f to ensure the next generation is vulnererse also brings with it various threats and vels.vernment leat industry, regulatory and goor its users that need to be addrPotential harms in VR and the metaverse purpose to engineer a To safeguard the metaverse we must understand the harms users are exposed to. comprehensively protected online. VR has been sho e-schoolVirtual reality can cre along the same lines asbetter world and grew our Blurred lines betwwn to creen virtual reate false memories in preality and reality Desensitisationaged children and to confuse the boundaries betweenparticipants to experiences that weate conditions that desensitise fantasy and physical r been shocking, anxiety inducing or frightening. ould have previouslyHarassment and abuse arealitye common experiences f.If metavHarassment and abuse in VR or Privacy and data volvge tech companies, the economics VR users when they spend time in open spaces where ,platforms opererse spaces eated by larerse platf een those with and thosetheiet.org/safeguarding-the-metaverse worldwide membership. strangers can meet.underpinning metavPhysical injuries and property damage to the capture and commodification of user data. orms will be inextricably linked mo e, removing trip hazards and letting Digital povertyIt is vital that VR users set up their space adequately Limitations such as affordability, accessibility and trust otherving furniturs know that they arelates to coming out of VR and without access to socially trVR disassociation r e about to enter VR. ding can create a digital divide betwansformative tools. vernance Disassociation due to inadequate off-boar Platform accountabilitychallenges of gono longer feeling connected to your body, and/orIn the VR space, it is not always clear who is perceiving the physical world as not rs.eal, whichresponsible f , platform or goesponding to vernment.communityor monitoring or rcan induce anxiety or panic attack illegal behaviour whether that be the individual,Read our full report at theiet.org/safeguarding-the-metaverse'