Beyond Platform Capitalism: Artificial Intelligence and the Metaverse as Drivers of Inclusive Knowledge Ecosystems and Socio-Economic Value Creation

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse is reshaping value-creation models and transforming the governance of digital ecosystems. It explores new paradigms of value co-creation enabled by AI-driven knowledge management and immersive environments, identifies the contextual conditions and socio-economic implications that shape inclusion and advances an actionable governance framework for equitable value sharing. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a conceptual–analytical and theory-building approach based on a systematic synthesis of 151 peer-reviewed sources. Guided by abductive reasoning, the analysis led to the ECO-NEXUS meta-framework through iterative conceptual decomposition and recomposition. Rigor was ensured via inclusion criteria, audit-trail documentation, triangulation and sensitivity checks, providing a replicable foundation for future empirical research. Findings The analysis shows that flows in platform ecosystems shift from linear to multidirectional patterns with role hybridity (prosumer, prolier, conplier); that inclusion emerges when human–AI knowledge co-creation is paired with relational systems and right-preserving safeguards; and that, absent these, market concentration and surveillance risks tilt value governance levers to inclusion and identifies boundary conditions that amplify or dampen these effects. Originality/value This study advances theory through the ECO-NEXUS governance architecture and informs practice by translating its mechanisms into actionable choices for equitable value sharing in AI- and metaverse-enabled ecosystems. The framework offers normative guidance and a clear agenda for empirical validation.