Imagine a new type of internet that not only accurately interprets what you input, but actually understands everything you convey, whether through text, voice, or other media, one where all content you consume is more tailored to you than ever before. We are at the tipping point of a new phase in the web’s evolution. Some early pioneers call it Web 3.0.
However, there are a few early-stage Web 3.0 applications that already exist today, but until the new internet becomes fully embedded in the web infrastructure, their true potential cannot be actualized.
But what actually is a web 3.0, what will it look like, and how will it change our view of the internet or even our lives?.
Now let’s get into it.
What is web 3.0?
Web 3.0 is the third generation of the internet where websites and apps will be able to process information in a smart human-like way through technologies like machine learning, Big Data, decentralized ledger technology, and many other technologies.
To explain a bit further.
Web 3.0 will lead to data being interconnected in a decentralized way, which would be a huge leap forward to our current generation of the internet called Web 2.0, where data is mostly stored in centralized repositories.
Furthermore, the adoption of blockchain and cryptocurrencies has allowed the evolvement of web 3.0. That is because Web 3.0 networks will operate through decentralized protocols which are the founding blocks of blockchain and cryptocurrency technology.
They will be interoperable, seamlessly integrated, and automated through smart contracts. These technologies will be used to power anything from micro transactions in Africa, censorship-resistant P2P data file storage, and sharing with applications like File-coin.
There is a famous saying that for you to understand the future you must first have the knowledge of history. So let’s look into the evolution of web 3.0 technologies.
Actually, Internet 3.0 is an upgrade to its precursors which are web 1.0 and web 2.0.
Now guys, let’s look into each of these web evolution.
First is the Web 1.0.
Web 1.0 which started in 1989 to around 2005, is also called the Static Web. It was the first and most reliable internet in the 1990s despite only offering access to limited information with little to no user interaction. Back in the day, creating user pages or even commenting on articles wasn’t a thing.
To put this simply;
It was like a one-way highway, with a narrow footpath where content creation was done by a selected few and information came mostly from directories.
As for web 2.0, this concept started in 2005 till date.
Also called the social web, Web 2.0 made the internet a lot more interactive thanks to advancements in web technologies. This enabled startups to build interactive web platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Wikipedia, and many more.
This paved the way for both social networks and user-generated content production to flourish since data can now be distributed and shared between various platforms and applications.
Then there is Web 3.0.
Web 3.0 is the next stage of the web evolution that would make the internet more intelligent or process information with near-human-like intelligence through the power of AI systems that could run smart programs to assist users.
This would enable the intelligent creation and distribution of highly-tailored content straight to every internet consumer.
I will like to wrap this up so I won’t get you deeper into a rabbit hole, but before that;
let’s take you through the key features of web 3.0.
First is Ubiquity.
Ubiquity means having the capacity to be everywhere, especially at the same time. In other words, omnipresent.
Web 2.0 is already ubiquitous because, for instance, a Facebook user can instantly capture an image and share it. Using that same idea, Web 3.0 simply takes this a step further.
At some point, internet-connected devices will no longer be concentrated on computers and smartphones alone like in Web 2.0. Because the Internet of Things technology will bring forth a plethora of new types of smart devices that will reshape the way we see the internet.
The second key feature is the Semantic Web.
Applying semantics on the Web would enable machines to decode meaning and emotions by analyzing data. Consequently, internet users will have a better experience driven by enhanced data connectivity.
The third is Artificial Intelligence.
Web 3.0 machines can read and decipher the meaning and emotions conveyed by a set of data. It brings forth intelligent machines. Although Web 2.0 presents similar capabilities, it is still predominantly human-based, which opens up room for corrupt behaviors such as biased product reviews, rigged ratings, and many more.
For instance, online review platforms like Trust-pilot provide a way for consumers to review any product or service. Unfortunately, a company can simply gather a large group of people and pay them to create positive reviews for its undeserving products. Therefore, the internet needs AI to learn how to distinguish the genuine from the fake in order to provide reliable data.
This is AI in action, which will soon seamlessly fit into web 3.0, enabling blogs and other online platforms to sift data and tailor them to each user’s liking.
And lastly Spatial Web, and 3D Graphics.
Some futurists also call Web 3.0 the Spatial Web as it aims to blur the line between the physical and the digital by revolutionizing graphics technology, bringing into clear focus three-dimensional virtual worlds. 3D graphics bring a new level of immersion not only in futuristic gaming applications like Decentraland, but also in other sectors like real estate, health, e-commerce, and many more.
Let’s put this together.
A common requirement for a Web 3.0 application is the ability to digest large-scale information and turn it into factual knowledge and useful executions for users.
Such applications like Siri, and Wolfram Alpha, are just the beginning of what is to be for web 3 applications. For sure, this new internet will provide a more personal, customized browsing experience, a smarter and more human-like search assistant, and other decentralized benefits.
Kindly share your thought on web 3.0, and don’t hesitate to let us know what you would like us to discuss on this channel.
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Written by Folusho Sanni
Folusho is a Product Manager and Blockchain enthusiast, with years of experience in Product development, Product Design, and Research.
