Facebook is set to create 10,000 jobs in the European Union (EU) as it accelerates plans to build the metaverse.
In a blog post, Facebook said that Europe will play a key role in the development of the virtual space.
“As we begin the journey of bringing the metaverse to life, the need for highly specialised engineers is one of Facebook’s most pressing priorities,” it said.
“We look forward to working with governments across the EU to find the right people and the right markets to take this forward, as part of an upcoming recruitment drive across the region”
“And as Facebook continues to grow in Europe, we hope to invest more in its talent and continue to innovate in Europe, for Europe and the world.”
Facebook describes the metaverse as a new phase of interconnected virtual experiences built on technology such as virtual and augmented reality.
The firm has openly stated its ambition to be a leader in its development but said that “no one company will own and operate” it – adding that its key features will be “openness and interoperability”.
It said that the investment in the EU is a “vote of confidence” in Europe’s tech industry.
Facebook added that it expects the union to play an important role in shaping the rules that will regulate both the internet and the metaverse.
Horizon
Facebook’s early steps into the metaverse have partly come through its Horizon Worlds platform, in which users can build virtual worlds using Oculus headsets.
It also recently announced Horizon Workrooms – a virtual meeting space designed to let colleagues collaborate when they’re not in the same room as each other.
Soon after launch, Zoom revealed that it had partnered with the platform to develop virtual meetings and whiteboards.
Horizon and the metaverse are set to feature prominently during an upcoming Facebook event.
