Ayumi Moore Aoki defines the Metaverse as a network open to everyone and controlled by no one. This space, she believes, removes the boundaries of distance and geographical limitations to allow new ways of interaction and immersive experiences. It is an opportunity for women to seize control of their future and the Metaverse today and for future generations.
Blockchain technology, NFTs and the Metaverse. The focus is to empower girls and women to unlock economic opportunities, drive global growth and foster sustainability. Paris, France Inspiration for women Ayumi is a social entrepreneur driving positive, sustainable change through technology. As Founder and CEO of Women in Tech®, a global movement with over 250 volunteers and 200,000 members across six continents, her mission is to empower five million girls and women in STEM by 2030. She is also a member of the Forbes Business Council and sits on the supervisory board of Autofill, a deep-tech meets hard-tech company revolutionizing object inspections with an initial focus on the automotive and rail industries.
Ayumi got her first experience of web3 in 2021 when a friend who traded Picassos pivoted to selling NFTs. Highly intrigued by the “little jpgs selling for ridiculous amounts of money,” Ayumi was fascinated by the underlying technology of the blockchain and the value of true ownership.
Ayumi explains: “In my head, it was as if all the pieces of the puzzle of my professional career came together. It combined my love for art (I majored in Fine Arts) with my passion for tech. Most of all, it opened endless opportunities for so many domains.”
It’s more than that, though. It provided a platform for Ayumi to help democratize the web3 space in its making. “Web3 is a unique opportunity for women to leap the gender gap instead of trying to catch up to it.”
At Women in Tech®, Ayumi helps women embrace web3 through educational programs, skills workshops and masterclasses in blockchain technology, NFTs and the Metaverse. The focus is to empower girls and women to unlock economic opportunities, drive global growth and foster sustainability.
“I think the biggest barrier today is democratizing access to education,” shares Ayumi. “Due to the gender digital divide, women and girls are entering the space much slower than their male counterparts. We need to ensure that this new internet is diverse and inclusive from the beginning.”
Web3 technology presents limitless opportunities. Ayumi believes the power of web3 lies in its potential to empower people with true ownership of their assets: “It’s a real digital revolution, a huge paradigm shift. Consumers have the power and control over their own data, such as health records, personal data, passports, education certificates, and more. This is powerful; the possibilities are endless.”
Ayumi has witnessed the evolution of NFTs since her introduction to the space in 2021 from “little jpgs” to representing digital assets such as images, music, certificates, its use by federate communities, and as companies’ shares. The evolution of NFTs and the Metaverse has empowered IP shared ownership, giving brands a life of their own and allowing them to grow organically with users.
In the future, Ayumi sees NFTs being used to validate a person’s identity to access the Metaverse, keeping the space authentic and free of bots. Web3 technology is already disrupting education: today’s online teaching and learning methods are reshaping this industry for teachers and students alike. The Metaverse is also a catalyst for pushing cryptocurrencies into the mainstream. The use of gaming and immersive experiences removes barriers of space and time. The potential of web3 and the Metaverse is boundless.
Ayumi champions those who are pushing boundaries for the sake of blockchain adoption, encouraging more and more women to join the space to take control of their economic future. She’s inspired by the constant innovation of web3 and the Metaverse. “Education is important to me; I taught myself to code with free online resources, which changed my life. I want to provide that same inspiration for other women. Access to data, devices and education is not available to those less fortunate, and if I can help change this in some small way, I believe it takes small steps to big things.”
The advice she would have given herself on her journey in web3 is, “I think the most important thing is to surround yourself with genuine, positive people and keep away from the toxic ones, no matter who they are or what position they have. Listen to your inner voice, and don’t become distracted along the way.”
Ayumi is helping girls and women prepare for the future of work in web3. More Women in Tech® means more power to the technology to impact women and the world. Ayumi Moore Aoki, we salute you.
AYUMI MOORE AOKI’S METAVERSE & WEB3 TIPS
First, gain knowledge through courses and upskill yourself by fully understanding the basics of blockchain technology: the underlying metrics, setting up digital wallets, what an NFT is, the risks and opportunities, etc. Then, find your tribe: web3 is all about community. Be authentic, search for interesting connections, and keep them true.
Website: ayumimooreaoki.com
