Artificial Intelligence-Based Metaverse as a Virtual Model of Smart Urbanism: Unveiling the Challenges for Cybersecurity

Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the center of the Metaverse, a vast ecosystem adoption centered on Extended Reality technology. As the creation of the Metaverse is still in its early phases and many various technologies must be integrated in order for it to be realized, a number of cybersecurity concerns need to be resolved before the system can be used in reality for any significant purposes. A broad cyberattack surface will be produced by the fusion of several technologies, which surely leads to a number of brand-new cybersecurity problems. This study focuses on determining and assessing the challenges of cybersecurity in the AI-based Metaverse (AIM) model for smart urbanism. This study’s explanatory sequential approach integrates qualitative and quantitative data for maximum advantage. Some of the methods used to gather data include closed-ended questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews. In order to assess the survey data statistically, structural equation modeling is employed. The interview data is examined using content analysis to support and add to the findings from the questionnaire. In addition to potential directions for further research, recommendations based on the results include creating rules and best practices for the implementation AIM as a virtual model of smart urbanism.