The year was 2021 and we were all told that virtual worlds were the future. Now, in 2025, Meta is reportedly preparing to cut its metaverse budget by up to 30%.

In this episode of Leading Change in the Wild, I take a closer look at what this shift really means, how investors are responding, and why Meta might be turning its full attention toward AI and wearable technology instead.

Here’s what I unpack: ✅ Why Meta is pulling back on a 60 billion dollar metaverse investment and why investors cheered ✅ Where that money is likely heading next, from AI infrastructure to wearable tech like Meta glasses ✅ Why wearables may become the next major data source for training AI models ✅ The privacy and ethical concerns tied to always-on, data-collecting devices ✅ Why the metaverse is a cautionary tale for leaders jumping into AI without a clear strategy ✅ How to avoid chasing hype and instead use technology to solve real business problems

For years, people made it clear they didn’t want to live in a virtual world built by Big Tech. Now we’re seeing what happens when companies chase hype instead of listening to their customers. The same warning signs are showing up in today’s AI race.

👇 Let’s discuss: - Is the metaverse really dead, or are we still in the early days? - Would you use AI-powered glasses in your daily life? - Is your organization leading with technology or strategy when it comes to AI?

🔔 Subscribe for weekly insights on digital transformation, AI, and the human side of technology.