The decision is approaching

2025 will be crucial for the metaverse

Now the metaverse may have reached the time that determines whether the digital universe has a future or not.

Ove Kaufeldt

Published 10 February 2025 - 09:53

It is Meta's Chief Technology Officer Andrew "Boz" Bosworth who believes that the year 2025 could be a decisive year for the company's investments in the metaverse. This is reported by the publication Business Insider, which has obtained an internal memo written by Bosworth. There, he describes 2025 as the most critical for proving whether the metaverse will emerge as a visionary achievement or as a "legendary mistake."

Bosworth revealed that the company's division Reality Labs plans to launch half a dozen more AI-driven wearable devices, although he did not specify any timeframe or details. He also emphasized the importance of driving sales, retaining users, and increasing engagement, especially in mixed reality. "Horizon Worlds on mobile absolutely must break through for our long-term plans to have a chance," according to Bosworth. "If you don't feel the weight of history on your shoulders, you're not paying enough attention."

Last week, Meta announced a series of changes within Reality Labs, the division responsible for the company's augmented reality and virtual reality products. As part of the reorganization, the unit previously led by Reality Labs COO Dan Reed will now be overseen by Meta's COO Javier Olivan. Other managers within the division will now report to key figures within Meta's core business, indicating that Reality Labs is becoming a higher priority for the company.

Despite Reality Labs reporting record revenues of $1.08 billion in the fourth quarter, the division also noted its largest quarterly loss ever of $4.97 billion. Since 2020, the division has accumulated losses of approximately $60 billion.

Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently spoke about the company's smart glasses during an internal meeting, where he urged employees to "prepare" for an "intense year." He mentioned that the company sold over one million units of its AI-powered smart glasses in 2024, which he described as a "good start" but acknowledged that it "will not fundamentally impact the business."