Industrial Metaverse Reaches a Turning Point: From Hype to Real-World Value!

Once hailed as the next big thing, the metaverse seemed to become a “joke” in tech circles after a brief period of hype. As Meta’s Reality Labs continued to lose billions—over $70 billion invested with little to show—many began to mock the metaverse as just another empty buzzword. But as public attention shifts from flashy consumer entertainment to the deeper needs of industry, the metaverse is quietly reviving in ways we never expected, revealing astonishing real-world value.

Goodbye to Entertainment Hype, Embracing Practical Value

You may not have heard the word “metaverse” associated with cool games or virtual social platforms for a while. In 2025, metaverse applications in the consumer market are indeed lackluster—few users, even fewer profits. But as Andy Lee, partner at Jones Walker LLP, put it: “The entertainment hype has subsided.” Instead, the business world is undergoing a “pragmatic recalibration.” VCs like Intel Capital and The Venture Reality Fund are now focusing on broader, more practical metaverse applications.

This isn’t the death of the metaverse, but rather its “deflation”—finding a true foothold in solving real problems. The metaverse is no longer about simply replicating the real world as a “digital twin,” but is evolving into targeted, industry-specific solutions.

The Rise of the Industrial Metaverse—Case Studies

You might be surprised to learn that today’s most active metaverse scenarios are in police stations, courtrooms, and even jet engine manufacturing plants. Neil Sahota, CEO of ACSILabs, revealed that their metaverse technology is being used to train police officers, simulating how to handle suspects in psychological crises or under the influence of fentanyl. The difference between classroom theory and real-world emergencies is stark, but the metaverse provides immersive drills that let officers gain “real combat” experience in a safe environment.

ACSILabs has also built virtual courtrooms for lawyers, allowing them to rehearse arguments and strategies before trial. By combining cognitive science and AI, lawyers can predict how different strategies might affect judges, opposing counsel, and juries. Sahota notes that this training helps users “realize they can try riskier strategies and see what happens,” boosting their confidence. Astonishingly, government clients have found that 18 hours of metaverse training can yield the equivalent of three years of real-world experience. The medical field is also benefiting: Osso VR has developed VR modules for surgeons to practice skills in virtual environments. Studies show that doctors trained with these solutions perform three times better in real operations than those trained traditionally. Even jet engine manufacturers are embracing the metaverse (or, more simply, “digital twin” technology) to test engine safety and performance. Sahota points out that the metaverse can answer questions like “How does this engine perform at 80,000 feet on a Boeing 777?” or “What happens if the engine encounters a thunderstorm?”—scenarios impossible to easily test in the real world.

Opportunities and Challenges—Risk Considerations

Of course, risks are ever-present as the metaverse evolves.

First and foremost is data privacy and security. As Andy Lee emphasizes, metaverse platforms will handle vast amounts of sensitive data, from performance metrics to biometric information. If training scenarios are based on real cases or patient data, the sensitivity is even higher. That’s why “privacy by design, security by design” is crucial when choosing vendors. Enterprises must keep up with global privacy regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA, and carefully review vendor terms and conditions.

Next is legal liability. If virtual training is biased or misleading and leads to real-world errors, who is responsible? Andy Lee warns that companies and users must pay close attention to liability, especially in high-risk scenarios where inadequate or misleading training could have serious legal consequences.

Finally, content moderation is vital in professional settings. Beyond common harassment issues, highly realistic virtual images can trigger trauma responses in users. While most research focuses on video games, virtual worlds can indeed cause negative psychological effects. Ultimately, no matter how close metaverse training and scenario planning get to reality, they are not reality itself. Andy Lee reminds us: “While these simulations are helpful for learning, transferring skills directly to the real world requires critical reflection.” In other words, real-world practice is still necessary before taking action—virtual training is not a complete substitute.

Conclusion

The metaverse is not a fleeting “tech bubble”—it has simply undergone a profound transformation. From grand narratives and consumer frenzy, it has shifted to pragmatic, precise industrial empowerment. It’s no longer an unattainable “second life,” but a powerful tool for boosting efficiency, reducing risk, and innovating across industries. In the future, we may stop worrying about the definition of “metaverse,” but the immersive technologies and digital twin concepts it represents will quietly reshape how we work, learn, and live. Stay rational, explore its true potential—this is the right attitude toward the “rebirth” of the metaverse.