Ian Hughes is a senior research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence and has been covering the evolution of industrial IoT from the basics of instrumentation to richer data applications such as predictive maintenance and machine learning at the edge. This coverage is now moving toward digital twins and the real-time industrial metaverse. He looks at changes to the way we interact with technology, and one another, through AI, IoT, game technology and media across what will become the metaverse at work and play. He has over 34 years of experience in emerging technology, the first 20 years as a software engineer and architect building and sharing concepts, from early web and e-commerce, IoT, social media to virtual worlds. He became an enterprise metaverse evangelist in 2006, known for putting the Wimbledon Championship tennis experience into a shared avatar-based experience. Later, with his own consulting company, he built virtual training hospitals and educational experiences. Ian had his own slot on a Saturday morning TV show for 39 episodes in 2010/11, showing emerging technology to a younger audience. He has written and published two science fiction novels under his online name/nom de plume, epredator. Ian has a Bachelor of Science degree in IT from De Montfort University. He was made an Honorary Doctor of Technology by Solent University in 2018, and he is chair of BCS animation and games specialist group.
Earnings calls for companies in the S&P 500 mentioned "metaverse" just three times in the first half of 2025, but the terms AR, XR, digital twin and physical AI were invoked a combined 110 times, a sign that changing terminology does not necessarily reflect changing priorities.
Some might think of the metaverse as a passing fad, but rumors of its demise are greatly exaggerated. Analysts Neil Barbour and Ian Hughes return to discuss recent study results and industrial metaverse progress with host Eric Hanselman.
A move from hardware to a services-led digital enterprise changes Fujitsu's role in the global tech landscape, driven by AI and quantum with a commitment to sustainability. Yet the challenge remains to continuously innovate and integrate emerging trends to maintain a competitive advantage.
The event presented Meta's vision for "glasses-first" AI computing, leveraging partnerships, new input paradigms and aggressive retail expansion to position smart eyewear as the next mainstream interface.
Recent metaverse happenings include the release of several generative AI virtual-world-building approaches. SIGGRAPH, alongside its arts and media focus, points to the rise of industrial digital twins, and Readyverse is getting ready for players.
AI could not only handle workers' routine tasks, but it may also give employers opportunities to increase productivity by gamifying work via personalization. It could help workers achieve more output and greater workplace satisfaction by enabling them to develop potential creativity and talents.
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