The metaverse intersects with the real world to establish a new era for wireless applications over next generation networks. Nevertheless, these applications are accompanied with a spate of challenges that can hinder their anticipated emergence. In particular, these applications are essentially capped with the profound communication and computing limits pertained by classical networks and end devices. Hence, to reap the full metaverse experience, a major leap that propels the metaverse apart from the classical paradigm of communication, computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) is demanded. In this paper, we shed light on the potential and recent advancements of quantum technologies that can drive the metaverse beyond the classical boundaries. In particular, with the substantial breakthrough witnessed in the versatile quantum streams, we leverage the quantum communication, computing, sensing, and AI tools that can pave the way for a groundbreaking version of metaverse applications to emerge. Up to this end, we present an overview of the metaverse in terms of its aspects, components, and persisting challenges. Then, we elaborate further on the applicable quantum tools (e.g., quantum federated learning, quantum key distribution, etc.) that can transform the different metaverse operational levels (e.g., digital twins, extended reality, etc). Finally, we present a set of open challenges and future research directions that arise along the lines of adopting quantum technologies for future metaverse applications.
The metaverse intersects with the real world to establish a new era for wireless applications over next generation networks. Nevertheless, these applications are accompanied with a spate of challenges that can hinder their anticipated emergence. In particular, these applications are essentially capped with the profound communication and computing limits pertained by classical networks and end devices. Hence, to reap the full metaverse experience, a major leap that propels the metaverse apart from the classical paradigm of communication, computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) is demanded. In this paper, we shed light on the potential and recent advancements of quantum technologies that can drive the metaverse beyond the classical boundaries. In particular, with the substantial breakthrough witnessed in the versatile quantum streams, we leverage the quantum communication, computing, sensing, and AI tools that can pave the way for a groundbreaking version of metaverse applications to emerge. Up to this end, we present an overview of the metaverse in terms of its aspects, components, and persisting challenges. Then, we elaborate further on the applicable quantum tools (e.g., quantum federated learning, quantum key distribution, etc.) that can transform the different metaverse operational levels (e.g., digital twins, extended reality, etc). Finally, we present a set of open challenges and future research directions that arise along the lines of adopting quantum technologies for future metaverse applications.
Today, like never before, we are witnessing a pervasive diffusion of ultra-broadband fixed-mobile connectivity, the deployment of Cloud-native 5G network and service platforms, and the wide adoption of Artificial Intelligence. It has the so-called Digital Transformation of our Society: as a matter of fact, the transformative role of Telecommunications and Information Communication Technologies (ICT) has long been witnessed as a precursor of scientific progress and economic growth in the modern world. Nevertheless, this transformation is still laying its foundations on Electronics and the impending end of Moore’s Law: therefore, a rethinking of the long-term ways of doing computation and communications has been already started. Among these different ways, quantum technologies might trigger the next innovation breakthrough in the medium long-term. In this direction, the paper provides an overview of the state of the art, challenges, and opportunities posed by an expected second wave of quantum technologies and services.
The emergence of digital and cognitive Web 3.0 demands a move towards immersive applications that drive innovation across verticals like Industry 5.0, gaming, healthcare, and allied sectors. These sectors are led by key developments in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), which offer end users a nuanced, haptic, and immersive Quality-of-Interaction (QoI). To manage end-user QoI, AR/VR applications rely on real-time, high-fidelity simulations, AI-driven control, and Next-Generation Wireless Communication Networks (NWGNs). Future applications face pressing needs for high computational capacity, resource optimization, parallel processing of vast amounts of data, and unbreakable security beyond classical cryptographic primitives. Integrating Quantum Computing (QC) into the AR/VR space offers transformative potential to overcome these challenges. Recent surveys have explored the potentials of AR/VR and QC in isolation, but the convergence of these fields remains largely unexplored. This survey aims to bridge this gap by exploring the potential of decoding QC into the AR/VR space. We systematically review existing surveys and present background discussions on QC, quantum AI, quantum resource optimization, and the role of NWGNs in QC-assisted AR/VR. Furthermore, we present a reference architecture for QC-assisted AR/VR, supported by a detailed solution taxonomy. Open issues and future research directions are outlined, and we discuss a novel case study of a QC-enabled Industrial Metaverse integrated with AR/VR. This survey serves as a pivotal resource for researchers and industry leaders aiming to pioneer the next generation of AR/VR experiences powered by QC systems, thereby shaping the future of immersive technologies.
The future of digital economies is poised for a revolution, with high computational power and immersive and intelligent data-driven decision-making at its core. Emerging technologies, such as Quantum Computing and Digital Twin, are leading this charge, offering sustainable and state-of-the-art deliverables in real-time. This chapter delves into the various aspects of quantum mechanics and digital twins, providing examples of their potential applications, impacts, and implications. The fusion of these two technologies gives rise to a groundbreaking concept-the “Quantum Metaverse”.
Over the last few decades, technology has been improving dramatically and consequently transformed the standard of living and socio-economic conditions. The entire process will revolutionize when the next advanced technologies will be fully functional. Advanced technologies like the metaverse, Web 3.0, and others necessitate high computing power, invincible security, and ultra-fast internet. Despite increasing demand, traditional computing methods have limitations and are not capable of satisfying the requirements. To solve these tribulations, quantum computing is shining a light of hope. This survey aims to analyze the methodology, constraints, and potential of integrating quantum computing with the metaverse. We begin with an overview of quantum computing and related terms. We then investigate the feasibility of applying quantum-enabled technologies to enhance the metaverse. Furthermore, this survey also considers middleware for seamless conversion between traditional and quantum computing with the metaverse. In the subsequent phase of this survey, our objective is to discern and delineate the prospective application domains for the quantum-enabled metaverse. In essence, the difficulties of integrating quantum computing with the metaverse, present research approaches, and open research issues with consequences for additional in-depth investigations are highlighted.
With such rapid development occurring in quantum computing, it becomes a great threat to the security of the Metaverse. Quantum computers are emerging machines that, when scaled up to the necessary strengths, pose a serious risk of cracking the current security codes and protocols used in the digital world. This chapter will discuss the emergence of quantum computing as a threat to Metaverse security and ways to approach its threat in the future. We will start by exploring the threat of quantitative computing on Metaverse security and the capability of quantum algorithms such as Shor’s algorithm to efficiently decipher RSA and elliptic curve cryptography. We will also cover the timelines for quantum supremacy and the urgent necessity to migrate to post-quantum cryptography. In the next section, we will explore the ongoing initiatives the governments and standards bodies are taking to counter this threat. This will include covering current activities such as the U.S. National Quantum Initiative Act, National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) process of post-quantum cryptography standardization, and the EU’s Quantum Flagship program. The chapter will focus on the need for global cooperation and collaboration to fend off quantum attacks on the Metaverse. We will then examine the factors that affect the security of the Metaverse, a networked environment primarily based on virtual reality, augmented reality, and real-time. We will consider the importance of developing new low-latency quantum-resistant cryptography for Metaverse communication and using quantum key distribution for secure infrastructure in the Metaverse. It will also analyze the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in improving Metaverse security. The subsequent sections of this chapter will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can identify anomalous activities, determine threats, and protect itself from attacks in real time. However, we will also be reminded of the potential risks of AI and the usefulness of human intervention and supervision. Constantly evolving quantum computing poses a significant threat to the Metaverse, its providers, and users, as we will see in this chapter. This will involve the directions given toward the migration out of quantum cryptography, proactive adoption of defense-in-depth techniques, and quantum-safe assets. We will also talk about the concept of user training and the necessity of identity and access management in the Metaverse.
Over the last few years, we have witnessed an impressive growth of data traffic and a progressive Digital Transformation of Industry and Society: the deployment of the ultra-broadband and low latency network infrastructures (e.g., 5G) are leading to a global digitalization of several domains. These techno-economic trends are expected to continue and even accelerate in the next decade, at end of which, 6G and smart networks and services will be exploited. Innovation will continue to drive the global economy into the next decade. This paper draws some technology trends and applications scenarios for this horizon, where Quantum Optical Communications are likely to disrupt Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Telecommunications. Among the enabling technologies and solutions moving in this direction, this paper briefly addresses: quantum optical switching and computing, THz-to-optical conversions and advanced metamaterials for smart radio-optical programmable environments and Artificial Intelligence. The paper concludes with the description of a future application scenario, called Quantum Optical Twin, where the above Quantum Optical Communications technologies are exploited to provide services such as: ultra-massive scale communications for connected spaces and ambient intelligence, holographic telepresence, tactile Internet, new paradigms of brain computer interactions, innovative forms of communications