In a bid to build its presence in the metaverse, Facebook is looking to hire 10,000 people in the European Union over the next five years.

The metaverse is defined as an online world where people can game, do business, and socialise in a virtual environment, usually using VR headsets, and is being touted as the next big advancement in tech.

"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 wrote in a blog post. 

“At its heart is the idea that by creating a greater sense of “virtual presence”, interacting online can become much closer to the experience of interacting in person,” the post continues. “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.”

The social platform is currently embroiled in a series of scandals thanks to whistleblower Frances Haugen who showed that the company was focused on growth over safety. 

While, as Facebook’s own post states, “no one company will own and operate the metaverse,” it does have a reputation for buying up rivals. However, they’re adamant that the metaverse will “encourage competition” and “maintain a thriving digital economy”.