The idea of digital ecosystems that feel as natural and interconnected as the physical world isn’t new; the metaverse and digital twins are concepts plenty of laypersons are familiar with. Yet even when they boast impressive visuals and experiences, most of today’s virtual encounters still feel fragmented, with limited scale and platforms that don’t talk to one another.

The challenge isn’t just developing better graphics or faster devices, but building engineering foundations that allow people, data and digital assets to move seamlessly across environments in real time. Below, members of Forbes Technology Council discuss the engineering advances they believe are most essential for building immersive, scalable and interoperable digital ecosystems that operate less like siloed, standalone applications and more like persistent, interconnected digital environments.

A Universal Real-Time Spatial Computing Protocol

An essential technology breakthrough is the development of a universal, real-time spatial computing protocol. The protocol needs to be open and shared by everyone, and it needs to have low latency so important computations don’t take a long time. The world of users should be able to synchronize the same 3D reality images in real time. One might think of this protocol as the TCP/IP of spatial computing. - Alexander Oraevsky, TomoWave

A Globally Interoperable Digital Identity System

A globally interoperable digital identity is essential for scalable digital ecosystems. Despite advances in virtual worlds, cross-border travel still relies on paper passports. Singapore’s passportless airport system proves biometric digital identity works at a national scale. Standardized globally, it could enable seamless, secure identity across borders, platforms and digital environments. - Ken Nizam, AsiaTokenFund Group

Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?

AI-Driven Multiphysics Engines For True Digital Twins

A key requirement is AI-powered multiphysics that seamlessly couples fluid dynamics, electromagnetics and quantum mechanics in real time. Current simulations isolate physics domains. The breakthrough is AI models that learn cross-domain interactions, enabling true digital twins of complex systems, from molecules to system design. Such an engine will enable virtual worlds that behave exactly like reality at scale. - Prineha (Pri) Narang, DCVC

Advanced Multisensory Interfaces For Fully Immersive Experiences

For truly immersive experiences in digital ecosystems, we need advanced multisensory feedback beyond visuals and audio—particularly, haptic interfaces so we can “feel” objects and olfactory systems for scents. Imagine exploring a virtual forest and smelling fresh pine and earth, or watching a cooking demo that includes authentic food aromas. These multisensory experiences dramatically enhance presence, emotion and memory recall. - Lenin Mehedy, HASHGRAPH

Resilient-By-Design Architecture For Interoperable Digital Worlds

I think the key breakthrough is making digital ecosystems resilient by design. Today’s virtual worlds are fragile, and a single failure can disrupt everything. Resilient, loosely coupled systems would allow worlds to adapt and interoperate without breaking. This resilience is what will ultimately make immersive digital ecosystems scalable and trustworthy. - Umesh Chauhan, American Express

A Universal Semantic Communication Architecture

The essential breakthrough is a universal, real-time semantic communication architecture. This would be a standardized way for digital entities, environments and agents to exchange meaning, not just data. - Gundeep Singh, EY

A Unified, Real-Time Spatial Computing Layer Across Platforms

The essential breakthrough is a unified, real-time spatial computing layer. We need universal protocols for identity, physics and assets that work seamlessly across platforms. Without these shared standards and low-latency sync, our most ambitious digital worlds will remain isolated islands, not a scalable, interconnected ecosystem. - Nikhil Jathar, AvanSaber Technologies

Portable Digital Identity And Shared Context Across Platforms

The key breakthrough isn’t superior graphics capabilities but a portable identity and shared context across platforms. For digital ecosystems to be immersive and interoperable, identity, assets and actions must carry across platforms. Without this foundation, virtual worlds remain isolated experiences rather than connected ecosystems that can scale and evolve together. - Judit Sharon, OnPage Corporation

Quantum-Enhanced Consensus Protocols For Real-Time State Synchronization

Quantum-enhanced consensus protocols for real-time state synchronization across massive virtual networks are essential. Current blockchain and server-based systems are too slow and centralized. Quantum parallelism could enable sub-10-millisecond consistency for millions of users, creating shared “physics engines” that different platforms can trust and seamlessly interoperate with. - MuthuKumaraPandian Chandrasekaran, CitiusTech

An Open Spatial Computing Framework Spanning Physical And Digital Spaces

An open, interoperable spatial computing framework that standardizes 3D scene description, identity and security across devices would unlock the metaverse. A universal digital twin map (like USD and OpenXR combined) powered by edge AI will allow immersive experiences that scale globally and ensure seamless interactions between virtual and physical spaces. - Mammon Baloch, Starlight Retail Inc.

AI-Enabled Interoperability Layers For Trusted Digital Ecosystems

One of the most significant engineering breakthroughs is the establishment of AI-enabled interoperability layers with the ability to move seamlessly through digital identities, assets and services. These layers form the foundation of digital ecosystems that go beyond isolated virtual reality worlds and are scalable and based on trust. - Dr. Anil Lamba, JP Morgan Chase

AI-Driven Semantic Interoperability Frameworks For Real-Time Systems

One essential engineering breakthrough for building immersive, scalable and interoperable digital ecosystems is the development of AI-driven, real-time semantic interoperability frameworks. These frameworks would leverage advanced AI and machine learning algorithms to enable seamless communication and understanding between different platforms, applications and virtual environments. - Prasad Banala

A Universal Spatial ‘Grammar’ For Digital Worlds

The real breakthrough is a universal spatial “grammar” for the digital world—open standards for identity, physics, time and presence. When virtual spaces speak the same language, worlds won’t feel like apps you enter but places you move through: persistent, interoperable and alive across devices, creators and platforms. - Balaji Adusupalli

Real-Time Interoperable Data And Identity Layers

The key breakthrough is real-time, interoperable data and identity layers. Without shared standards for identity, state and data exchange, immersive worlds stay siloed. Scalable digital ecosystems need low-latency data pipelines, portable identity and common protocols so experiences can move seamlessly across platforms, not live in isolation. - Venkata Kondepati, Ascentt

A Shared, Real-Time Interoperability Layer

One essential breakthrough is a shared, real-time interoperability layer that all digital platforms can understand. Much like how the internet allows emails to move freely across providers, this layer would let identities, data and digital assets move seamlessly between ecosystems. It would remove silos, enable massive scale and make digital experiences feel continuous rather than fragmented. - Arun Goyal, Octal IT Solution LLP

A Common Digital Substrate For Persistent Virtual Reality

The essential breakthrough is a common digital “substrate” for reality itself: an open spatial fabric where identity, physics and ownership persist across worlds. With shared rules beneath the surface, virtual spaces stop being islands and become a living, interoperable universe that can truly scale. - Vishwanadham Mandala, Cummins Inc.

Shared State Synchronization At Scale

Shared state synchronization at scale is the breakthrough that matters most. Until millions of users and systems can interact in real time with consistent physics, identity and permissions across platforms, immersion stays shallow. True digital ecosystems need interoperability at the state level, not just asset sharing. - Dan Haiem, AppMakers USA

Low-Latency Global Synchronization For Shared Digital Worlds

Immersive digital systems require a breakthrough in real-time syncing—a way for millions of devices to see and interact with the same shared world instantly, even with network delays. If physics and events stay consistent across edge and cloud, digital spaces can scale, stay reliable and let avatars and assets move between platforms, making ecosystems immersive, interoperable and not locked to one vendor. - Anurag Jindal, Vertisystem (A MOURI Tech Company)

Planetary-Scale, Interoperable Digital Twin Systems

The key breakthrough is digital twin interoperability at planetary scale, modeled on the way space missions integrate physics-based models, real-time sensor data and autonomous systems. Just as satellites synchronize data across missions and agencies, future digital ecosystems must seamlessly connect AI, simulation, identity and data layers. Without shared standards and feedback loops, immersive worlds won’t scale or earn trust. - Shelli Brunswick, SB Global LLC

A Shared Digital Language For Identity, Data And Assets

Just as English enables global workforce efficiency, we need standardized identity, data and asset protocols across platforms. The real breakthrough isn’t better graphics—it’s a shared digital language that lets users, AI agents and assets move seamlessly between ecosystems with trust and persistence. True scale emerges when interoperability is effortless. - Pabitra Saikia, Truist Bank