IBM in the Metaverse

9/20/2007 IBM in the Metaverse was a 3-world event with Sandra Kearney, IBM's Global Director of 3D-Internet and Virtual Business. This mind-stretching show seamlessly integrated real-world feeds from a Cornell (Johnson School) classroom, a feed of Sandra's avatar in IBM's ActiveWorlds space, and our audience in Second Life.

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IBM has taken serious interest in the metaverse, which has gotten them quite a bit of press coverage. I think every virtual world resident knows an IBM employee, and knows they will always be on good behavior because they are following the virtual world guidelines that IBM has laid out to help employees be good "netizens."

Some may be surprised that a tech company like IBM is so interested in the software side of the metaverse. But they have published two very interested reports on online gaming and leadership skills. "Virtual Worlds, Real Leaders" describes , and "Leadership in a Distributed, Gaming World" (on the same page as prior link). The latter article actually draws on the experiences of 214 IBM employee gamers.

Part 1

Part 2

On September 20th 2007 we held our first mixed-reality tri-world event. Sandra Kearney, IBM's Global Director for 3D Internet (3Di) and Virtual Business, spoke from Cornell University's Sage Hall. She was broadcast into both Second Life and Activeworlds, as well as to the web through SLCN.tv. She also controlled an avatar in Activeworlds, and via the video feed residents in both virtual worlds were able to see each other.

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Sandra Kearney is IBM's Global Director for 3D Internet (3Di) and Virtual Business. She has over 25 years experience as a Business Analyst working with complex organizations and operations, including military and civilian strategy, aviation, futures planning, and logistics.

Sandy has in depth knowledge of Virtual Worlds and Emotive Network building and is currently leading a large IBM community in the 3Di space. She has in depth experience in Aviation Operations, Operations Research, Industrial Engineering and Logistics. This experience spans multiple industries including aerospace and defense, automotive, financial services, logistics and media. Her depth of experience includes significant time dedicated to military, civilian -- part 121 and part 91 aviation operations, operations analysis, project and program management, customer service, service lifecycle management, testing, alternative futures, security & privacy and transition planning.

Her published works include studies for IBM Research, IBM's Institute of Business Value and guides and articles for the US Government in the area of alternative futures and strategic alternative planning. She earned her Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Grand Canyon University in Arizona.