The state and the metaverse: On the power to shape and organise the Internet of tomorrow

Much like the mythical island kingdom of Atlantis, the vision of the metaverse satisfies today's wanderlust. In the future, physical, augmented and virtual reality will merge to form a digital Atlantis. The 'New Internet' will be characterised overall by an unprecedented degree of decentralisation, interactivity and interoperability. The National Institute for Public Administration Germany project 'Metaversum' undertool pioneering work by exploring the infinite vastness of the 'New Internet' from the perspective of jurisprudence and science by highlighting not only existing regulatory requirements, but also – and in particular – regulatory gaps.