When Mark Zuckerberg set his company on the path to the metaverse, he must have known there was no going back.

Changing his business name from Facebook (a brand that was recognized globally) to Meta drove the point home. Social networks on devices with screens represent the past. The future is in virtual reality.

It must have also known that the road ahead would be fraught with obstacles, both technical and regulatory.

Meta’s shares have suffered greatly since investors seem less certain about the company’s future amid rising expenses and shrinking profits.