IBM sees value in leveraging 3D virtual worlds and the metaverse for business purposes. They have established a presence in virtual worlds like Second Life to develop skills with new technologies, establish mindshare with customers, and promote standards that can benefit customers. IBM has used virtual worlds for meetings, demonstrations, and client projects to explore innovative new applications.

1. IBM and the Metaverse
Why is IBM leveraging the
3-D Internet for Business?
Dvir Reznik, IBM Software Group
© 2008 IBM Corporation

2. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
© 2008 IBM Corporation

3. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
Why does IBM care?
© 2008 IBM Corporation

4. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
IBM values
Innovation
“Innovation that
Matters — for our
company and the
world”
© 2008 IBM Corporation

5. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
© 2008 IBM Corporation

6.  The World Urban Forum (WUF) engaged IBM to sponsor
HabitatJam to help set the agenda for WUF3, the biannual
conference on urban sustainability.
 HabitatJam was the largest brainstorming ever on urban
sustainability bringing together 39,000 participants from 191
countries including delegates, academics – and the slum dwellers
whose lives would ultimately be impacted.
 On-the-ground events – such as Jam cafes – brought thousands
of slum dwellers to the Jam (people who had never seen a
computer):
• Kibera, Kenya: Hundreds of slum dwellers lined up for hours for the opportunity to
have their messages typed into a computer, in the hope that the issues they faced
would be brought before WUF3 delegates.
• Delhi, India: 10,000+ people gathered in slums to express their views and discuss
the problems of the world's cities.
• Similar events were held in Russia, the Congo, Colombia, Cameroon, Brazil,
Uruguay, Peru and Bangladesh.
IBM’s Jams demonstrated an innovative approach to massive
brainstorming, connecting people who otherwise could never
meet.
6 3-D Internet – Advancing Business in Virtual Worlds © 2007 IBM Corporation

7. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
3D Internet – unfolding opportunities
“The 3-D Internet may at first appear to
be eye candy, but don't get hung up on
how frivolous some of its initial uses may
seem… 3-D realms such as Second Life
are the next phase of the Internet's
evolution and may have the same level
of impact as the first Web explosion.”
Sam Palmisano, IBM Chairman and CEO
January 22, 2007
© 2008 IBM Corporation

8. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
 7.5 Million “Residents”
 219% Annual Growth
 Collectively spend 360,000
hours/day in-world
 Median age is 33,
65% Male
 75 million instant messages
per month between residents
© 2008 IBM Corporation

9. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
© 2008 IBM Corporation

10. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
Meetings
© 2008 IBM Corporation

11. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
IBM Alumni event
(http://greateribm.com)
© 2008 IBM Corporation

12. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
Wimbledon demo…
Integrating real-world
‘Hawkeye’ ball tracking
data with Second Life
for Wimbledon demo
© 2008 IBM Corporation

13. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
© 2008 IBM Corporation

14. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
Led to Client Builds
Circuit City and Sears
© 2008 IBM Corporation

15. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
CodeStation – for ISVs
© 2008 IBM Corporation

16. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
© 2008 IBM Corporation

17. quot;Big Blue is promoting a video
game that could change the
way companies develop
leaders and manage
projectsquot;
17 3-D Internet – Advancing Business in Virtual Worlds © 2007 IBM Corporation

18. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
Why does IBM care?
 Use the technology
 Establish a presence
 Develop skills, help our customers
 Build a “mindshare”
 Promote standards
 Innovate
© 2008 IBM Corporation

19. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtarga/223776150/ © 2008 IBM Corporation

20. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
© 2008 IBM Corporation

21. IBM and the Metaverse – HIT SGS, February 2008
dvir@il.ibm.com
http://eightbar.co.uk
http://dvirreznik.blogspot.com
© 2008 IBM Corporation