Mete Al is an experienced speaker, mentor, analyst, investor, and advisor, with a focus on strategy, business, and technological advancements in the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors. As a Co-founder of ICB Labs, he plays an essential role in assisting organizations with their digital transformation efforts, particularly emphasizing blockchain technology, tokens, and cryptocurrencies.
### Education Meets Web3: A Conversation with Mete Al
During the TOKEN2049 event in Singapore, one of the largest Web3 conferences of the year, we engaged in a discussion with Mete Al about the confluence of education and Web3 technologies, the importance of creating a secure metaverse for youth, and the future landscape of learning.
Mete Al serves as a Project Lead at ICB Labs, which is dedicated to revolutionizing education through blockchain technology. The primary goal of ICB Labs is to establish a secure, equitable, and accessible educational platform for students around the globe, aiming to extend beyond just the traditional cryptocurrency audience. This initiative was inspired by a considerable gap in educational resources and recognition of the distinct ways in which younger generations engage with technology. ICB Labs has developed a comprehensive ecosystem based on its proprietary EVM-compatible blockchain, which includes a metaverse, an “access NFT” system, and a native token, all created in collaboration with educational institutions and non-profit organizations.
### The Vision Behind ICB Labs
When discussing the consolidation of projects like ICB Network, ICB Verse, and KYC NFT under ICB Labs, Mete emphasized that it was never a matter of compromises. The focus has always been on realizing the vision of a unified and coherent project. Initially inspired by an educational gap within the crypto industry, the pandemic revealed how the younger generation has adapted to new technologies. Unlike previous generations, today’s students are more inclined to utilize tablets and AI for their educational needs. This realization led to the innovative concept of implementing blockchain and metaverse technologies in education, resulting in the creation of a tailored ecosystem that includes access NFTs, a native token for transaction fees, and a metaverse designed to cater to students’ diverse educational needs.
### The Future Landscape of Education and Technology
Mete believes that AI and the metaverse will be the key drivers of adoption for ICB in the upcoming three to five years. He draws parallels to Bitcoin’s early days, asserting that those who recognized its potential were ahead of the curve. The objective is to leverage these technologies to address educational disparities globally, emphasizing the importance of providing equal access to quality education. He foresees a future where students interact with AI tools, such as GPTs, leading to challenges in the student-teacher dynamic as Generations Z and Alpha begin to redefine educational norms.
### Engaging the Younger Audience
ICB Labs is committed to targeting children and students, distinguishing itself from other crypto projects that cater primarily to traders. The organization collaborates closely with academic institutions and NGOs worldwide to integrate educational initiatives. Their NFTs serve as “access NFTs,” not as speculative assets, allowing students to engage with various educational environments within the metaverse. Instead of purchasing virtual land, users can access specific areas like academies and classrooms, ensuring that the platform meets students where they are.
### Navigating Regulatory and Privacy Concerns
ICB Labs is focusing on creating a secure NFT-based identity system that emphasizes age verification, which is particularly important given their work with minors. Their KYC NFT token is designed to foster a safe environment, requiring parental consent for users under 18 and implementing initial KYC processes. This framework enables the establishment of separate, age-appropriate zones within the metaverse, ensuring that older users cannot access spaces designated for younger audiences. Users who do not complete KYC procedures can still view the metaverse but will have limited interaction capabilities, contributing to the platform’s safety.
### Technical Challenges and Solutions
In developing their own Layer-1 blockchain with ICBX, Mete acknowledged the anticipated technical and scalability challenges. Recognizing the demanding nature of their use cases, they opted to create a fast, EVM-compatible blockchain that allows for growth. The infrastructure is designed to scale efficiently by adding more validators and RPC nodes to enhance transaction speed and accommodate increased activity. While future upgrades will be necessary, the blockchain’s design prioritizes scalability from the outset.
### The Role of the Talent Hub
The Talent Hub is an innovative platform aimed at empowering students to cultivate and refine their creative ideas. It provides resources for students to develop business plans, marketing strategies, and manage social media presence with the help of AI agents. Once projects are prepared, a separate AI agent will evaluate their viability, and successful concepts can be tokenized as NFTs or cryptocurrencies. ICB Labs will then assist in selling these assets to fund the projects, retaining a 5% equity stake. This initiative serves as an incubator for aspiring young entrepreneurs, with discussions already underway with prominent partners such as AWS and Vecturis Capital to enhance the Talent Hub’s offerings.
