Developing a National Strategy for Metaverse Development: A Framework for Scientific, Technological, an‎d Economic Policy-Making

12/21/2025 12:00:00 AM

In the present era, marked by significant transformations in digital technologies, the emergence of a new phenomenon, the "Metaverse," has captured the attention of researchers, policymakers, an‎d economic actors. As an interactive, three-dimensional virtual space built on advanced technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, an‎d Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Metaverse holds significant potential for revolutionizing human interaction, the digital economy, an‎d scientific innovation. Despite the notable potential of the Metaverse to create fundamental changes in various aspects of human life, the lack of a coherent an‎d comprehensive policy framework to guide the development of this technology is a major challenge to effectively capitalizing on this emerging phenomenon. This policy vacuum could lead to issues such as a lack of coordination in developing the necessary infrastructure, inequality in access an‎d benefit from the Metaverse, an‎d the emergence of security an‎d privacy threats. In this regard, the current research aims to provide a framework for policymaking regarding the scientific, technological, an‎d economic development of the Metaverse in Iran. By studying the experiences of other countries in this area, as well as Iranʹs past experiences in policymaking for emerging technologies, using a mixed research method including using experts’ opinions as well as the quantitative Analytic Hierarchy Process, this study has sought to identify the key scientific, technological, an‎d economic dimensions of the Metaverse that require special attention in the policymaking process, as well as the main challenges facing the national development of the Metaverse. The outcome of this research is that policymaking for the Metaverse in Iran should be carried out simultaneously along 4 axes: scientific, technological, economic an‎d policy. The proposed framework establishes a systematic an‎d dynamic relationship between theses axes.

متاورس , فراجهان , سياست‌گذاري فناوري‌هاي نوظهور , سياست‌گذاري علم، فناوري و نوآوري , دنياهاي مجازي , وب3

Metaverse , Emerging Technologies Policy , STI Policy , Virtual Worlds , Web3

Emran Shahshahani

Dr. Javad Mashayekh