techUK's Web3 & Immersive focus
Running from July to December 2024, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of Web3 and Immersive technologies.
This is part of techUK's flagship Unleashing Innovation campaign, an ongoing programme of activity that aims to empower our member organisations to realise the potential of UK technology and innovation by showcasing the possibilities of emerging technologies, convening key stakeholders and shaping innovation policy.
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a summary document.
This sprint campaign followed techUK's Gaming and Esports sprint, which launched in January 2024.
Technologies
Web3 is an umbrella term for technologies that decentralise data ownership and control on the internet. These include Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) such as blockchain, digital tokens or currencies, and smart contracts.
Immersive technologies create distinct experiences by merging the physical world with a digital or simulated reality. Examples include Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR) (collectively known as Extended Reality, or XR), haptics, and holograms.
Objectives
The sprint campaign had the following objectives:
To convene the UK's Web3 & Immersive sectors to increase awareness of stakeholders, drive collaboration, and create opportunities for partnerships
To identify the main Web3 & Immersive technologies set to drive UK economic growth and productivity
To determine the key barriers to the development, application, and commercialisation of these technologies in the UK (format: workshops and/or roundtables)
To develop then share a set of recommendations for industry and Government to ensure the UK leads on the Web3 & Immersive technologies of the future (format: summary document)
techUK worked with a range of member organisations and stakeholders to make this sprint campaign a reality including Innovate UK's Immersive Tech Network, Digital Catapult, Improbable, Linklaters, Shoosmiths, and the Metaverse Institute.
Paper
This paper summarises the sprint campaign's main findings and conclusions by listing the key Web3 & Immersive technologies of interest to UK industry and Government, providing examples of where these will be most effectively applied across key sectors, and suggesting the areas in which Government should focus next if it is to make future UK leadership in these technologies and their applications a reality.
Event round-ups
Catch up on previous events from this sprint campaign.
Insights
Rediscover relevant news, announcements, and calls for conributions.
Get in touch!
Rory Daniels
Senior Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies
Contact Rory at rory.daniels@techuk.org to get involved in this sprint campaign or find out more about techUK's future activity across Robotics & Automation or Emerging Technologies / Innovation more widely.
You can also find Rory on LinkedIn, where he regularly posts about emerging tech, here.
Click below to view our other Unleashing Innovation series
techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.
techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.
For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’.
