The Metaverse as the Future of the Internet
The metaverse, or virtual world, is often described as the future of the internet, but we rarely get a chance to see what that future actually looks like in practice.
Today, we introduce Noctisylum—the first virtual world in Serbia dedicated exclusively to art created with the help of artificial intelligence.
Behind it is its author, Stefan Vlajić from Vršac, a graphic designer and artist who built the entire system himself, from the initial idea to the technical realization, with a clear vision that the metaverse should not be only a virtual stage, but a place where creatives from Serbia and around the world can meet and collaborate. 
For that reason, we spoke with the creator to explore what the metaverse really is, what inspired him to develop Noctisylum, who it is intended for, and more. Enjoy…
Explaining the Metaverse in Simple Terms
To begin with, how would you simply explain what the metaverse is to someone who has never heard of it? How would you explain it to a child?
The metaverse is a digital world you can enter. Imagine a video game, but instead of looking at a screen and playing, you are actually inside it. You have your own character, you can walk around, look at art, listen to music, and talk to other people who are there at the same time as you, even if they are on the other side of the world.
You know when you play games and your character walks through some world? The metaverse is that, except you are that character, and the world you explore is not made up for a game. It is created for something real, such as an exhibition, a concert, or a meeting with friends.
How exactly does your metaverse work? What does a user see and do when entering that space?
When you enter, you first choose an avatar. You can select one of the available options or upload your own. Then you move freely through the space, just like in a video game, with the option of a first-person or third-person view.
You can explore alone, or in multiplayer mode, where you see other visitors in real time and can communicate with them through text or voice chat. When you come across a work that interests you, you can focus on it and get detailed information about it. Sound behaves naturally in the space. It gets louder as you approach the source and fades as you move away. Video works come with full controls, just like in a browser. You can even browse the web directly inside the metaverse without leaving the space. You can also share your screen, which opens possibilities for presentations and shared real-time experiences. You can leave a comment that remains permanently visible, and the space also allows the organization of events, screenings, exhibitions, and discussions.
From Graphic Design to AI Art
What motivated you to launch this kind of project, and why AI art?
I have been working in graphic design since 2018, and at one point I wanted to explore sound. As AI technologies advanced, I became increasingly interested in what they could offer, and that led me to the idea for Noctisylum. I launched the project with the desire for it to grow and develop, and every step was a natural continuation of the previous one. From music, then entering Web3 through a token on the Solana blockchain, the first AI album in Serbia, and finally the first AI metaverse in Serbia. What truly drew me in from the beginning was the fact that emotion remains human. AI generates, but the feeling, the theme, the story — all of that comes from the human being. That became the foundation for everything that followed.
How many people worked on this, and who is involved in the project?
I do everything myself. The music, the visual identity, the song covers, Web3, the token, the metaverse. Every step of this project is mine. That is important to me, because Noctisylum is an authorial project in every sense of the word.
Reactions From Serbia and Abroad
What is the current level of interest, and what have the reactions been like so far?
The interest has been huge from the very beginning. People have been contacting me directly, both from Serbia and abroad. But I do not think it is only hype because something is new. What we are doing here is innovative and different, and I believe the interest will only grow. This kind of space has not existed before, and it is something with long-term value.
Did you plan this project as local or global from the beginning?
From day one, I thought globally. Music has no language or border, and when you work with artificial intelligence, it is natural to think beyond the local level. Noctisylum has been available from the beginning on all major digital platforms, the music is played on radio stations around the world, and foreign media have written about the project. When the metaverse arrived, that global dimension became even more pronounced, because there are already international artists whose works are displayed in the space.
Visitors as Creators, Not Only Guests
Can users participate as creators, not only as visitors?
Yes, the doors are open to all creatives working with AI art, from Serbia and from all over the world. They can exhibit their works for free. The only thing that exists is curatorial selection, which means that every work goes through a review to ensure the quality and consistency of the space. The idea is for the metaverse not to be only a place to visit, but a shared stage for AI artists where their works gain visibility and an audience.
What does it mean that this space is “alive,” and how does it change and develop over time?
Alive means that at any moment you can meet other people who are there with you in real time. They communicate through text or voice chat, explore, react to the same works, and experience the same space together. You can share your screen with everyone present, organize screenings, exhibitions, and discussions. The comments visitors leave remain permanently visible, so even when someone is no longer there, the trace of their presence remains. That is what makes it alive. It is not only works on walls, but people moving, talking, interacting with the elements of the space and with one another. New artists arrive, the works change, and the space evolves. Every time you enter, it can be a completely different experience. It is not a destination, but a journey without an end.
New Worlds, Events, and Features
Do you plan to expand the metaverse with new spaces, features, or “worlds”? What comes next?
Yes, that is already planned. The idea is to build portals to new worlds that visitors can explore. The space will expand, new artists will arrive, new works will be added, and new functions will appear. I am also thinking about organizing events inside the metaverse, including screenings, exhibitions, and discussions. I see this as something that is only beginning to develop, not as a finished project.
Do you plan to introduce some form of digital economy, such as selling works, NFTs, or supporting artists?
The metaverse supports NFT works, which opens a completely new dimension for artists. A work looks the same as any other in the space, but when a visitor clicks on it, they can see all the information about that work on the blockchain and buy it immediately. In addition, artists can of course sell their works in the traditional way, through direct contact. The idea is for the space to offer as many possibilities as possible, while the artist chooses what suits them best.
Access Without Registration or Apps
How technically demanding is it to use this metaverse? Is it really accessible to everyone?
Accessibility was one of the main goals from the very beginning. There is no registration, no downloading of apps. One click on a link and the space opens directly in a browser, whether from a computer or a mobile phone. No technical knowledge is needed. If you know how to open a website, you know how to enter the metaverse.
How do you see the future of the metaverse? Will it become mainstream or remain a niche?
I think it will become mainstream. The world is only beginning to discover what the metaverse can be, and spaces dedicated exclusively to AI art practically do not exist. What we are doing here is something that has not been seen in this way before, and I think interest will only grow as AI art becomes more present around the world. We are only at the beginning.
Photos: Private archive
