Towards a Humane Metaverse: Open Questions and Possible Answers

This contribution addresses the challenge of imagining a humane Metaverse by critically examining its development across five interconnected dimensions: experience, inclusivity, ethics, education, mental health, and governance. Moving beyond a mimetic approach that merely replicates offline realities, the paper argues that the Metaverse should be conceived as an environment of experiential enhancement, capable of offering novel, interactive, and otherwise inaccessible forms of engagement. Immersive media are thus framed not as substitutes for physical experience, but as tools for expanding cognitive, emotional, and relational possibilities. From this perspective, the Metaverse represents a unique opportunity to embed inclusivity and equity at the design level, enabling accessible and welcoming environments for users with diverse cultural backgrounds, abilities, and identities. At the same time, the accumulation of personal, biometric, and behavioural data raises unprecedented issues related to privacy and ethics, requiring new regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with the protection of individual rights. The paper also explores the educational potential of the Metaverse, highlighting learner-centred, interactive, and creative learning environments that complement rather than replace traditional education. Finally, it addresses the mental health and social impact of immersive environments, acknowledging risks such as addiction and identity blurring while emphasizing their potential for social connection, psychological well-being, and therapeutic applications. Overall, the Metaverse is framed as a socio-technical space whose future depends on deliberate, value-driven design choices.