Microsoft has become very bullish on the “Industrial Metaverse” because digital twins and related technologies have already started to help multiple businesses digitize processes, use less energy and generate less waste, and deliver better experiences to their customers faster.

Speaking at a Goldman Sachs investor conference last month, Microsoft executive vice president and chief commercial officer Judson Althoff said three broad categories of the Metaverse are emerging: consumer, commercial and industrial.

While each has significant potential, Althoff said, the Industrial Metaverse is “where I really have the most passion.” Now, coming from the head of sales for one of the largest and most powerful corporations in the world, that means industrial…