Microsoft has recently made the decision to disband its Industrial Metaverse Core Team, which was established just four months prior, according to The Information. The team, formed in October of the previous year, was responsible for the creation of industrial networks and providing support to users of the metaverse.
The team was fortunate enough to work with a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, retail, and financial services. Notable clients included Coca-Cola, Unilever, and General Motors, as stated by Microsoft’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Judson Althoff, at a conference in September.
However, just four months after its creation, the team, which was comprised of around 100 employees, was let go, along with a further 10,000 redundancies, in January, as part of the company’s job cut scheme.
The majority of the metaverse team was made up of individuals who were previously part of Project Bonsai, a company that Microsoft acquired in 2018. Project Bonsai is a low-code AI development platform, designed to provide operators with the tools they need to optimize processes. Unfortunately, The Information reports that the co-founders of Bonsai, Mark Hammond and Keen Browne, were also among those who were laid off.
In response to this development, a Microsoft spokesperson stated that the company remains committed to the metaverse and that the focus will be placed on the areas that hold the greatest significance to its customers. The spokesperson went on to say that the customers can expect to receive continued support without interruption.
Although the disbandment of the Industrial Metaverse Core Team may come as a disappointment to some, Microsoft’s commitment to the industrial metaverse remains steadfast. The company’s focus will be directed towards the areas that are of the greatest importance to its customers, ensuring that they receive the support they need to succeed.
