In its first recruiting campaign since its debut in November, the Shanghai Data Exchange (SDE) is beginning to recruit globally for 150 positions this week, a strategic move for the city’s blueprint to becoming “a global digital hub.” What makes it seminal is the campaign will make the most of the metaverse — an emerging technology that is viewed by industry leaders as Internet Communication Technology (ICT) technology’s next big thing.
The metaverse-style recruiting features an immersive experience and digital collection gifts for applicants, the government-backed data exchange disclosed. Apparently, the 150 positions up for grabs cover nine divisions:
- Trade Management
- Marketing Development
- Data Trader Service
- Strategic Development
- Risk Control
- Product Development
- Human Resources
- Financial Management
- Research Institute
To facilitate the immersive recruitment process, the exchange has established a “metaverse hall.” The platform should enable applicants to explore companies and job descriptions online, submit resumes and virtually attend interactive activities. But there’s more. Attendants also are given the opportunity to receive digital collections issued by the exchange. Plus, a fast-track entry for Shanghai residency is possible for those who meet certain conditions.
Metaverse, or “meta-universe,” is an emerging technology that is challenging traditional perceptions. In essence, it is a collective 3D virtual world where users can participate in different activities through their digital avatars. In short, it’s a virtual reality on steroids.
As it became a buzzword in 2021, the metaverse created a meta-market frenzy in stocks, spurring hopes of a boost in virtual realms that unlock significant real-world dollars. Its real-life applications are far-reaching as metaverse shape up an alternate digital reality where people could interact with each other, play games, or work in collaboration with their colleagues — and apparently recruit. The digital collection offered by SDE is also in a metaverse format.
Shanghai is the first city in the nation to put metaverse development in the city’s long-term development blueprint and part of its digital hub plan. It is also the most populous of all Chinese cities, not to mention widely considered as the wealthiest. In its digital transformation, China’s biggest city may also go down in history as the first to use the metaverse in recruitment.
Located in the Pudong New Area, the Shanghai Data Exchange includes organisations servicing data transactions, data asset evaluations, data security and other sectors to build a complete industry ecosystem in Shanghai. At a grand opening event last November, Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng unveiled the exchange.
The importance of data exchanges in business cannot be overemphasised. These platforms are the bridges that connect an array of data providers with their large set of data to data acquirers who need relevant data to form timely insight that allows them to effectively proceed in their business. With SDE in operation, banks are now able to easily access data from public utilities and mobile carriers when deciding on loans to businesses. In the process, they reduce their risk exposure.
China’s path to digital transformation is anything but timid. The Asian country, time and again, has shown that it is willing to go the distance to explore all possible areas to move its digital economy forward. The metaverse recruitment by the Shanghai Data Exchange attests to this.
The road ahead has been filled with a lot of back and forth. Indeed, the country’s digital adoption has not been as straightforward as China would want it to be. But it has not lost sight of technology as a tool of empowerment. As reported on OpenGov Asia, regional leaders in their recent “Two Sessions” annual meet have placed priority on the latest technologies ICT offers today.