At GITEX Global in Dubai, one of the world’s premier technology exhibitions, leaders in tech innovation gathered to explore and share the latest advancements. While the event itself drew global attention, a notable interview took place against an iconic backdrop away from the main venue. Christian Glessner, CTO of Hololux, met with Zaid Zaim, a special computing expert and Microsoft MVP, in front of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Their discussion, rich in insights about mixed reality, cultural heritage, and the metaverse, offered a glimpse into the future of technology amidst Dubai’s architectural marvel.
Zaim’s work at Ignor Gravity focuses on developing leadership programs that foster an agile work environment through workshops and conferences. He emphasized the importance of navigating topics into the realms of reality, metaverse, and spatial computing.
Mixed Reality and Cultural Heritage
A significant part of the conversation revolved around Microsoft Mesh and its impact on mixed reality. Zaim expressed excitement about the community momentum around Mesh, particularly its ease of integration into the Teams ecosystem, making the metaverse more accessible. He highlighted the developer-friendly nature of Microsoft’s toolkit and the simplicity of developing mesh environments.
Preservation of Cultural Heritage
An intriguing aspect of the discussion was the use of mixed reality in preserving and experiencing cultural heritage. Zaim’s personal project, Palmyra, demonstrates the potential of mixed reality in this field. The idea of virtually touring historical sites like Palmyra, experiencing the monuments and history in an immersive environment, presents a novel way to engage with our cultural past.
Bridging History and Innovation through Mixed Reality
The interview concluded with Glessner and Zaim expressing their excitement for the future of mixed reality and its applications. Zaim’s vision of walking through Palmyra in Microsoft Mesh encapsulates the potential of this technology to bridge the past and the future, making history accessible in unprecedented ways.
Fusing Technology and Culture: The Promise of the Metaverse Era
This conversation at GITEX Global not only highlighted the advancements in technology but also underscored the importance of cultural preservation in the digital age. As we move further into the era of the metaverse, the integration of cultural heritage and mixed reality promises to open new doors for exploration and education.