Facebook has announced plans to hire 10,000 people in the European Union over the next five years.
The move is set to help build the so-called metaverse, an online world where people can game, work and communicate in a virtual environment, often using virtual reality headsets.
This would be a significant step the company is taking towards the concept, something top boss Mark Zuckerberg has touted in recent months.
Some critics say this latest announcement is designed to re-establish the company’s reputation and divert attention, after a series of damaging scandals in recent months, reported the BBC.
Despite its history of buying up rivals, Facebook claims the metaverse “won’t be built overnight by a single company” and has promised to collaborate.
It recently invested over Ksh.5.5 billion in funding non-profit groups to help “build the metaverse responsibly”.
What is metaverse?
“The metaverse has the potential to help unlock access to new creative, social, and economic opportunities. And Europeans will be shaping it right from the start,” Facebook said in a blog post.
The new jobs being created over the next five years will include “highly specialised engineers.”
Also Read:
- Facebook targets 1 billion new users online
- Why Usain Bolt is concerned about Facebook glitch
- Zuckerberg loses Ksh.773.8 billion after a 6-hour Facebook hitch
Investing in the EU offered many advantages, including access to a large consumer market, first-class universities and high-quality talent, Facebook said.
The company is focusing its recruitment drive on Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, the Netherlands and Ireland.
A number of other companies, including Microsoft, Roblox and Epic Games are investing heavily in their own versions of the metaverse.
The announcement comes as Facebook deals with the fallout of a damaging scandal and faces increased calls for regulation to curb its influence.
Additional content by BBC
