The internet is now entering a completely different evolutionary phase. There has been a fiery debate on what to name this phase. Some prefer it to remain nameless, others opine it to be called Web 2.0. But more importantly, this evolutionary phase brings with itself more questions than it answers and poses more challenges than conveniences.
What is Web 3.0?
The term ‘Web 3.0’ may sound relatively simple, but it poses ramifications and the future of mankind stands to be completely revamped by it. Nonetheless, Web 3.0 means different things to different people.
Currently, it is difficult to work out a clear definition of Web 3.0 as it often leads to vague speculation about the scope of its full-scale implementation.
Certain group theorizes that Web 2.0 is fundamentally a social web which facilitates collaboration among people. This is vastly different from Web 1.0 which was a collection of static information dumped (on websites) for people to read. This allowed next to no interaction.
If a midpoint is reached between these webs, then Web 3.0 is very much the next shift in how different websites and users interact with them.
The Emergence of Web 3.0
Many advocates of Web 3.0 contend that it is already here. Nevertheless, it took 10 years for the web to transition from web to Web 2.0. Hence, it may take a decade for the Web 3.0 to reshape the web and make its mark. The term ‘Web 2.0’ was coined in 2003, which gained popularity in 2004. But the term flying around these days ranges from ‘The Internet of Things’ to ‘smart appliances’ which are connected via wireless networks.
Thus, it can be asserted with reasonable conviction that Web 3.0 will bring with itself a lot of changes before it is fully in place. For instance, the computer would have been replaced by its efficient alternative or the human knowledge may have doubly expanded in size by the time Web 3.0 is fully implemented.
Web 3.0: How is it?
The truth of the matter is that it is still too early to predict how Web 3.0 will look like, let alone when it is launched with full force. It is basically a guessing game, but looking at the not-so-near future, there are some certainties that could be nailed down for now:
- Web 3.0: Marketing Tactic
This is all the more predictable given how Web 2.0 was exploited by market forces. Shopping 2.0, Mobile 2.0, Enterprise 2.0 and Office 2.0 became buzzwords in the marketplace. Websites in the future will attempt to recreate this buzz by claiming to be Web 3.0.
- Artificially Intelligence and Web 3.0
For market experts, many believe that blending Web 3.0 with artificial intelligence would be the next frontier to conquer. One of the many major benefits of social media is that it takes human intelligence into consideration. For instance, social bookmarking can yield many accurate results than Google. The websites are voted by humans, which leads to more targeted results.
But, the inclusion of the human factor can also create misleading effects. A group can purposefully vote a website, making it popular and diverting the traffic towards it. Thus, if artificial intelligence can recognize this trend and eliminate it, it could lead to automated social bookmarking which delivers desired results.
The arrival of the artificially intelligent web also implies the emergence of virtual assistants. They are available already in the market as third-party apps which detect human speech, dissect it and then follow commands. It could range from opening an email, doing an internet search or setting up a reminder.
- Semantic Web
The plan to launch a semantic web is already in motion. In essence, the semantic web is an archive where information is logged and categorized in a manner that both humans and computers can understand it. For many, this seems to be a blend of semantic web and artificial intelligence. Semantic web can show the computers what data is and AI (artificial intelligence) can utilize the information.
- The Virtual Web
This seems to be a stretch of the imagination, but some have theorized that multiplayer online games (World of Warcraft) could lead to an internet which is based on purely virtual worlds.
Now Kinsey has developed its own virtual shopping mall. The users can take a virtual walk through the branded stores and explore the shelves. This idea can be further expanded into launching a larger virtual world where users can communicate with each other and do some sightseeing of their own.
Given that launching a singular virtual world with shops, buildings and other sections to explore and people to talk with is seemingly a possibility. This also creates more complications. Launching such a project would also require the green signal of major tech giants and the development of a protocol for the companies to adhere to. This can also result in different tech giants offering certain benefits which would give rise to fierce competition in this virtual world.
To launch a website into the virtual web, it would require considerable graphic design and programming, which would be all the more complex and costly. Thus, this avenue would be unviable for smaller websites and companies. More interestingly, it could be a possible direction towards Web 4.0.
- The Ever-present Web 3.0
Still, there is a long way to go before it becomes fully clear what Web 3.0 may hold for humans in the future. The ever-present Web 3.0 is theorized to merge the entertainment systems and mobile internet devices with the internet.
The possibilities are limitless as merging of mobile devices and computers as the source of music/movies places the internet at the centre, enabling a higher convenience and rise to instant gratification. Take this for instance, only within a decade, the availability of internet access on handheld devices have revolutionized the human lifestyle, making it key essentiality in every aspect of life.
Conclusion
Thus, Web 3.0 could lead the internet and humans in broad directions, leading to improved systems and unparalleled convenience.
Author Bio:
Ronald Willey has retired from formal education and research in HE but now he is spending time in UK assignment help and research contributions to student use of a computer in fieldwork. He is also involved in BestAssignmentWriters online firm of UK to help students by his proficiencies.