ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the idea of data-driven smart cities in the Metaverse. This chapter examines the potential impact of the Metaverse on physical cities and urban development, including the role of virtual currencies and other digital assets within the Metaverse and the potential for these assets to exacerbate existing economic and social inequalities. This chapter also discusses the potential for the Metaverse to disrupt existing power structures and create new forms of social and political organization, along with the ethical considerations surrounding these possibilities. Furthermore, this chapter examines the ethical implications of the Metaverse, including the impact on social interactions and relationships, data use, ownership, and protection, and the potential for reshaping traditional power structures and its implications for democracy and social justice. Lastly, this chapter discusses the role of policymakers in addressing the ethical implications of the Metaverse. Overall, this chapter aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the impact of emerging technologies on society and provides insights for policymakers and stakeholders to address the ethical challenges posed by the Metaverse.
