There was a recent bit of unpleasantness in what’s otherwise usually — at least in public — the cooperative world of metaverse development. A difference of opinion between Meta and Google surfaced as Google proposed collaboration on virtual reality (VR), but Meta declined due to restrictive terms. The dispute highlights the competition for dominance in the XR ecosystem, akin to the early smartphone market. Despite previous cooperation, the companies now vie for supremacy, especially with new entrants like Apple's Vision Pro. Meta holds a strong position in VR development, leading in market share and securing partnerships like with LG. Meanwhile, lobbyists are shaping AI legislation worldwide, with differences in approaches between regions creating collaboration gaps. In the Netherlands, fears of losing tech giant ASML prompt government efforts to retain it amid concerns over immigration policies under a new administration.