{"id":2163,"date":"2025-10-09T15:42:25","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T15:42:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/?page_id=2163"},"modified":"2025-11-13T10:06:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T10:06:35","slug":"session-on-citiverse-rising-virtual-worlds-and-ai-agents-for-urban-transformation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/session-on-citiverse-rising-virtual-worlds-and-ai-agents-for-urban-transformation\/","title":{"rendered":"Session on Citiverse Rising: Virtual Worlds and AI Agents for Urban Transformation"},"content":{"rendered":"    <div class=\"ituContainer grid\">\n        <div data-span=\"12\">\n                            <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">    <section>\n        <div class=\"ituContainer grid\">\n                                                <div data-span=\"10\">\n                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Banner-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Banner-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Banner-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Banner-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Banner-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Banner-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Description<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We discovered how virtual worlds and federated AI agents are transforming the way cities are designed, governed, and experienced. This session explored the emerging &#8220;Citiverse&#8221; \u2014 a next-generation digital ecosystem empowering inclusive, data-driven, and participatory urban transformation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Session on Citiverse Rising: Virtual Worlds and AI Agents for Urban Transformation took place on 4 November 2025 from 13:05-13:50 hours, Barcelona Time, in Barcelona. This session took place in the framework of the Smart City Expo World Congress.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button gb-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartcityexpo.com\/agenda\/citiverse-rising-virtual-worlds-and-ai-agents-for-urban-transformation\/\" style=\"border-radius:5px;color:#ffffff;background-color:#0693e3;padding-top:10px;padding-right:1em;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:1em;font-size:20px;line-height:1.2\">More information<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>            <\/div>\n                                                <div data-span=\"2\">\n                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Organized by:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/cities\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/itu-logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-251\" style=\"width:76px;height:88px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hosted by:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"259\" height=\"59\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/logo-footer-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2165\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Related Information:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartcityexpo.com\/\">Smart City Expo World Congress<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/virtual-worlds\/\">Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/\">ITU activities on metaverse and virtual worlds<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/cities\/\">ITU-T Smart Sustainable Cities<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/en\/ITU-T\/studygroups\/2025-2028\/20\/Pages\/default.aspx\">ITU-T Study Group 20: IoT, digital twins and smart sustainable cities and communities<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contact: <a href=\"mailto:digitaltransformation@itu.int\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cristina Bueti<\/a>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/div>                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>            <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>                            <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color\">Programme<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9b7669ff38b5dab49f91393011ee7ada is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>13:05 &#8211; 13:10 Opening Remarks<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li><strong>Hyoung Jun Kim<\/strong>, Chair of ITU-T Study Group 20 and Vice-Chair of the Global Initiative on AI and Virtual Worlds \u2013 Discovering the Citiverse<\/li>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li><strong>Aline Matta<\/strong>, Head, United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities (UNITAC)<\/li>\n<\/div><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ea0f8951089d82543bfe08246df6dbb0 is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>13:10 &#8211; 13:45<\/strong> <strong>Roundtable on Building the Citiverse: AI, Virtual Worlds, and the Future of Cities<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Moderator:&nbsp;Kamelia Kemileva<\/strong>, Co-Director, Programmes and Administration, Global Cities Hub<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li><strong>Okan Geray<\/strong>, Steering Committee Chair, Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI<\/li>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li><strong>Paola Cecchi Dimeglio<\/strong>, Professor, Harvard University<\/li>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li><strong>Roland van der Heijden<\/strong>, Chief Citiverse Officer, City of Rotterdam, The Netherlands<\/li>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li><strong>Christina Yan Zhang<\/strong>\u200b, CEO, The Metaverse Institute<\/li>\n<\/div><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Questions &amp; Ans\u200bwers\u200b<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-903922e1c04b00680ae3be6489b2a9de is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>13:45 &#8211; 13:50 Closing Remarks<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li><strong>Cristina Bueti<\/strong>, Focal point of Smart Sustainable Cities and AI-powered Virtual Worlds, ITU<\/li>\n<\/div><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/\">Back to the Citiverse main page<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color\">Biographies<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:18% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-scaled-e1713434213952-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-989 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-scaled-e1713434213952-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-scaled-e1713434213952-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-scaled-e1713434213952-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-scaled-e1713434213952-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-scaled-e1713434213952-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-scaled-e1713434213952-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Hyoung-Jun-Kim-scaled-e1713434213952.jpg 1753w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hyoung Jun Kim<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chair, ITU-T Study Group 20<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr Hyoung Jun Kim is a Research Fellow at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), where he has served since 1988, including as Senior Vice President leading the Intelligent Convergence Research Laboratory. With 37 years of experience, he has contributed across multiple divisions of ETRI and currently serves as Chair of ITU-T Study Group 20 and the APT Standardization Program (ASTAP). He has held numerous leadership roles in ITU, including Vice-Chair of SG20 and SG13, Working Party Chair, and Rapporteur since 2004.<br>Dr Kim has submitted over 450 standardization proposals, published 150+ papers, holds 100+ patents, and transferred 20 technologies to industry. His achievements have earned him three Presidential Citations of the Republic of Korea (2003, 2009, 2023) and multiple international recognitions, including ITU-T Certificates of Appreciation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:18% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kamelia.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2169 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kamelia.png 200w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kamelia-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Kamelia Kemileva<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Co-Director, Programmes and Administration, Global Cities Hub<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kamelia, holding an MBA, has in-depth experience in executive administration of non-profit organisations. She is a lawyer, specialized in Swiss law relevant to international organisations and international public law, including expertise on the United Nations. Kamelia&nbsp;also has a direct experience of intergovernmental multilateral negotiation and diplomacy.<br>Before joining the Global Cities Hub, Kamelia was Executive Manager at the Geneva Academy. She also worked as Special Assistant to the President of the UN Human Rights Council for three years. She was a Visiting Programme Director at Wilton Park. Previously to that, she worked at the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office in Geneva. Before moving to the public sector, Kamelia worked for two years in the private sector in a Geneva-based private bank as a compliance officer. She\u2019s a part-time Senior Consultant in AxLR.ch.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:18% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Okan-Geray-scaled-2-e1691505458692-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-334 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Okan Geray<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chair of U4SSC and Thematic Group Leader<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Okan Geray has more than 25 years of experience in consulting and advisory roles across various industries. He has consulted for a number of organizations in Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany, South Africa, Turkey and Dubai. He worked at A.T. Kearney global management consulting firm for 6 years and was a member of the Global Telecommunications and Higher Technology core team before he joined Dubai Government in 2002. He has fulfilled strategic planning and policy roles in Dubai eGovernment, Dubai Smart Government, Smart Dubai Office and is currently working in Dubai Digital Authority as the Strategic Planning Advisor. His responsibilities include Strategic Planning, Strategic Performance Management and Policy Making among others. Dr. Geray was the Co-Chair of the Enhancing Innovation and Participation Working Group, part of the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) global initiative. This working group addressed Smart Governance, Smart Economy and Smart People aspects in smart cities. He has led the two thematic groups \u201cGuidelines on Strategies for Circular Cities\u201d and \u201cCity Science Application Framework\u201d in U4SSC. He is currently leading \u201cGuiding principles for Artificial Intelligence in cities\u201d, and co-leading \u201cEnabling People-Centered Cities through Digital Transformation\u201d in U4SSC. Dr. Geray is the Co-Rapporteur of ITU Study Group 20, Question 7 on \u201cEvaluation and assessment of Smart Sustainable Cities and Communities\u201d. He is a member of the IEC-ISO-ITU Joint Smart Cities Task Force (J-SCTF). He is also a member of the ITU Focus Group on Metaverse and is co-chairing Working Group 7 on \u201cEconomy, Competition and Regulation\u201d. He was also the Co-Chair of the \u201cData Economy Impact, Commercialization and Monetization\u201d Working Group, part of the ITU Focus Group on Data Processing and Management. Dr. Geray holds a double major B. Sc. degree in Industrial and Computer Engineering from Bosphorus University in Istanbul Turkiye, an M.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering and a Ph.D. degree in Systems and Control Engineering from the University of Massachusetts in USA. He has published book chapters, several journal and conference papers, and teaches as an adjunct lecturer. \u200b<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:18% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Paola-Cecchi-Dimeglio-e1750769599470-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1477 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Paola-Cecchi-Dimeglio-e1750769599470-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Paola-Cecchi-Dimeglio-e1750769599470-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Paola-Cecchi-Dimeglio-e1750769599470-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Paola-Cecchi-Dimeglio-e1750769599470-768x769.png 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Paola-Cecchi-Dimeglio-e1750769599470-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Paola-Cecchi-Dimeglio-e1750769599470.png 1219w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Paola Cecchi Dimeglio<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Professor, Harvard University<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Ph.D., J.D.,LL.M., M.Sc., is a globally recognized expert in AI, Big Data, behavioral science, and talent analytics. She advises senior executives at Fortune 500 companies, global law firms, and public institutions on using advanced analytics and behavioral insights to optimize decision-making, develop high-performing talent, and shape future-ready workforce strategies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Harvard University, she holds dual appointments at the Law School and the Kennedy School of Government and serves as Faculty Chair of the Executive Leadership Research Initiative for Women and Minority Attorneys (ELRIWMA), where since 2011 she has led pioneering research\u2014using AI and Big Data\u2014at the intersection of leadership, organizational behavior, decision science, and talent strategy. She is the author of Diversity Dividend (MIT Press, 2023) and the forthcoming Building a Thriving Future: Metaverse and Multiverse (MIT Press, 2025)\u2014a strategy-driven guide to the AI-powered Metaverse, offering business and government leaders practical frameworks to lead digital transformation and build adaptive, human-centric digital ecosystems that support talent growth and innovation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As CEO of People Culture Drive Consulting Group, she leads a global behavioral science and AI firm that developed I.D.E.A., a patented platform that enhances talent analytics by ensuring consistency, fairness, and transparency in performance evaluations and succession planning\u2014transforming how organizations identify, retain, and advance top talent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She advises international institutions including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the World Bank, the United Nations ITU), and the European Commission. Her research and publications have received multiple honors, including awards from federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services for her behavioral and data visualization tools, and a 2017 Azbee Award of Excellence from the American Society of Business Publication Editors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Cecchi-Dimeglio has authored over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and regularly contributes to leading business and legal publications including Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review, Business Insider, Bloomberg Law, Reuters Legal, and Forbes, where she is a senior contributor on leadership, strategy, and AI. Her insights and tools are used by organizations worldwide to transform how they hire, evaluate, and promote talent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, and she is widely recognized for her thought leadership on AI-powered talent development, workforce transformation, and data-driven decision-making.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:18% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"644\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bhRolandvanderHeijden18-1024x644.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2170 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bhRolandvanderHeijden18-1024x644.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bhRolandvanderHeijden18-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bhRolandvanderHeijden18-768x483.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bhRolandvanderHeijden18-1536x966.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bhRolandvanderHeijden18-2048x1289.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Roland van der Heijden<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chief Citiverse Officer, City of Rotterdam, The Netherlands<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Roland is from origin a cityplanner, but has also a big interest in digital and data. The last decade he has focussed mainly on the impact of the digital transformation on the city and its citizens. First with the development of a responsible digital infrastructure for the city of Rotterdam in the form of an Open Urban Platform. And now recently in his new role of Chief Citiverse Officer in which he explores the possiblities of the Citiverse concept for a deeper understanding of the (social) impact of the digital transformation on the lives of the Rotterdam citizens. He is also part of the Steering Committee of the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:18% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Christina-Yan-Zhang-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2171 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Christina-Yan-Zhang-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Christina-Yan-Zhang-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Christina-Yan-Zhang-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Christina-Yan-Zhang-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Christina-Yan-Zhang.png 1248w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chistina Yan Zhang<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CEO, The Metaverse Institute<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christina is a metaverse pioneer, who started the journey in 2006 with a PhD using digital twin for the construction industry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christina has 19 years\u2019 experience turning vision into successful businesses. She worked for QS, the world university rankings agency 2013-2020, as China Director. Her work impacted China\u2019s \u00a3750bn five years funding to 3005 universities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She has sat on 20+ committees for UNESCO, World Bank, EU, UK governments on Innovation. She served as UN ITU Co-chair on Pre-standardisation for the CitiVerse TaskGroup, exploring the use of AI and virtual worlds to develop people-centred smart cities. She is the author of &#8220;People-Centred CitiVerse&#8221; \u2013 the UN&#8217;s first approved technical report on the subject \u2013 which introduced an 8-level entry point for a people-centred and planet-friendly digital future. Her co-authorship extends to UN reports such as &#8220;Definition of Metaverse,&#8221; &#8220;Metaverse for All Part I Legal Framework,&#8221; and &#8220;Part II Survey,&#8221; alongside contributions to the &#8220;Future of Travel in the Metaverse&#8221; in collaboration with UN Tourism and the &#8220;Definition of CitiVerse.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She sits on the Advisory Council for Centre for Science Futures of International Science Council, the world&#8217;s largest science body of 250 national\/international academies of sciences. She serves The Economist Impact&#8217;s advisory board for &#8220;AI Economy&#8221;, focusing on AI&#8217;s global economic impact.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:18% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cristina-Bueti-2025.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1963 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cristina-Bueti-2025.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cristina-Bueti-2025-600x600.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cristina Bueti<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Counsellor, ITU Study Group 20<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cristina Bueti is the ITU Focal Point on Smart Sustainable Cities and AI-powered Virtual Worlds. She is also the Counsellor of ITU-T Study Group 20 \u201cInternet of Things, digital twins and smart sustainable cities and communities\u201d and serves as TSB\/ITU focal point for Latin America. Cristina Bueti graduated from the Faculty of Political Science, Law and International Cooperation and Development of the University of Florence, where she completed postgraduate studies in International Cooperation and Telecommunications Law in Europe. In 2003, Ms. Bueti built on her academic credentials by completing a specialized course in peace keeping and international cooperation with special focus on telecommunications at the Faculty of Laws, University of Malta, before joining the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva in January 2004. As part of the International Women\u2019s Day 2016, she was named as one of the ten Geneva-based inspirational women working to protect the environment. She has authored over 40 reports on telecommunication and emerging technology issues. A native Italian speaker, Cristina is also fluent in English, French and Spanish.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Biographies Hyoung Jun Kim Chair, ITU-T Study Group 20 Dr Hyoung Jun Kim is a Research Fellow at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), where he has served since 1988, including as Senior Vice President leading the Intelligent Convergence Research Laboratory. With 37 years of experience, he has contributed across multiple divisions of ETRI [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2163","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2163"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2163\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/metaverse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}