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The Internet is constantly evolving and innovating. We've already seen the previous two generations, Web 1.0 and 2.0, and we're eager to see what Web 3.0 will bring. The Web 1.0 experience was static and lacked the ability to create your own sites with rich content like we do today. Web 2.0 brought users together through social networks and dynamic sites, while sacrificing decentralization.
The Web 3.0 concept promises to provide complete control over information on the Internet, as well as create a semantic web that will allow programs to easily perceive and process user content. Blockchain technology will enable decentralization, free digital identity through crypto wallets, and an open digital economy.
The way you interact with the web promises to become more immersive thanks to the capabilities of the 3D interface. In addition, users expect convenient content search, targeted advertising and improved customer support. Some of Web 3.0 technologies are already widely used in voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa, as well as in smart homes.
Introduction
The Internet has changed a lot over the past twenty years. We have advanced from application layer protocols for real-time messaging (IRC) and simple digital payments to modern social networks and complex online banking services. We have already experienced completely new Internet technologies such as cryptocurrencies and blockchain. The Internet has become an integral part of our communication and interaction and continues to develop every year. We've already seen Web 1.0 and 2.0, and we're excited to see what Web 3.0 brings. Let's take a closer look at this.
What is Web 3.0?
Web 3.0 (also known as Web3) is a next-generation internet technology that relies on machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology. This term was coined by Gavin Wood, the founder of Polkadot and co-founder of Ethereum. While Web 2.0 focuses on user-generated content hosted on centralized sites, Web 3.0 promises to give users complete control over their online data.
This concept aims to create open, connected, smart sites and applications with improved machine data analysis. Decentralization and the digital economy are also integral features of Web 3.0, as they add value to content created on the web. It is important to note that Web 3.0 is a changing concept. It still does not have a single definition, and for now everyone interprets it differently.
How Web 3.0 works
Web 3.0 will quickly deliver personalized and relevant information through the use of artificial intelligence and advanced machine learning techniques. Effective search algorithms and the development of data analytics will allow computers to better understand user needs and recommend relevant content. Web 3.0 will also focus on protecting content ownership rights and supporting an accessible digital economy.
Nowadays, websites such as forums and social networks typically contain static information or user-oriented content. Although this structure allows information to be published to a wide range of people, it may not meet the needs of a particular user. A site must tailor the information it provides to each individual user, similar to what happens in real human communication. In Web 2.0, users lose ownership and control over information once it is online.
Another key figure in the Web 3.0 concept is computer scientist and creator of the World Wide Web Tim Berners-Lee. He proposed his vision of the Internet of the future back in 1999:
“I have a dream that the web (made up of computers) will be able to analyze all the data on the Internet, including content, links and transactions between people and computers. The "Semantic Web" that makes this possible has not yet arrived, but when it does, the everyday mechanics of commerce, bureaucracy and our daily lives will be processed by machines that interact with each other."
Berners-Lee and Gavin Wood combined their ideas to make the ocean of decentralized information more accessible to websites and applications. They will analyze and use this information to meet the needs of specific users. Blockchain serves as a solution for the fair management of online identity, data, and ownership.
A brief history of the development of Internet technologies
To better understand the concept of Web 3.0, let's remember the path we've taken and what we've achieved. There have been many changes over the past two decades:
Web 1.0
The first Internet network was based on what is now known as Web 1.0. The term was coined in 1999 by author and web designer Darcy DiNucci to distinguish between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. Back in the early 1990s, websites were built on static HTML pages that could only display information without allowing users to edit or add new data. Social interactions were limited to simple chats and forums.
Web 2.0
That all changed in the late 1990s, when the shift toward a more interactive Internet began to take shape. Thanks to Web 2.0, users were able to interact with websites through databases, server-side processing, various forms, and social networks. All of these tools have changed interactions on the Internet from static to dynamic.
Web 2.0 focused on user-generated content and the interoperability of different sites and applications. It offered not only passive consumption of content, but also involvement in its creation. By the mid-2000s, most websites had switched to Web 2.0, and large technology companies began creating social networks and cloud services.
The Future and Web 3.0
If you look at the history of the development of the Internet, the evolution of the semantically smart network turns out to be a natural stage. At first, data was presented statically, but over time users were able to interact dynamically. Algorithms have begun to use this data to create more personalized and convenient online experiences. Try going to YouTube or Netflix and you will see how algorithms have improved these platforms.
While it's not entirely clear what Web 3.0 will be like, it could use peer-to-peer (P2P) technologies such as blockchain, open source software, virtual reality, the Internet of Things (IoT), and more. Web 3.0 aims to make the Internet more open and decentralized. Under the current framework, users must rely on network and cellular providers to handle all the information passing through their systems. With the advent of distributed ledger technologies, this process may soon change and users will be able to take back ownership of their data.
The table below outlines the main differences between Web 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0:
Key Features of Web 3.0
Web 3.0 is still not completely finished, but its basic concepts are already known. Below are four of the most important aspects of the future generation of Web 3.0.
Semantic layout
Every year, programs are getting better and better at recognizing user data and content. Nevertheless, we are still far from fully understandable semantics. For example, in human communication, depending on the context, words with negative connotations can be used in a positive sense, but it will be incredibly difficult for a program to understand this. To learn to intuitively understand user communications on the Internet, AI uses big data and additional information.
Blockchain and cryptocurrencies
Data ownership, the online economy and decentralization are key aspects of the future with Gavin Wood's Web3, which will be achieved using a trusted blockchain system. The ability for every user to tokenize assets, put information on the network, and use digital signatures are critical innovations that will suit Web 3.0.
3D visualization and interactivity
Simply put, the look and feel of the internet will change dramatically. We are seeing widespread adoption of 3D interfaces, which even include virtual reality. The Metaverse is one area that has provided users with such experiences, with communication already available to us through 3D video games. The UI and UX fields are also working to make information displayed more clearly.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the key to turning user-generated content into data that machines can understand. We are already actively using customer service bots, but this is just the beginning. AI can both provide data and sort it, making it a versatile tool for Web 3.0. The main advantage of AI is that it will improve by reducing human involvement in its training.
Advantages of Web 3.0 compared to previous versions
Combining the key features of Web 3.0 could theoretically bring us a number of benefits, but remember that all of them will depend on the success of the underlying technology:
1. Lack of a central point of control. Since there are no middlemen, no third parties will be able to control user data. This freedom reduces the risk of censorship by governments or corporations and also protects against DoS attacks.
2. Improving the interconnectedness of information. As more products come online, data packets provide algorithms with a wealth of varied material to analyze. This will help them learn to provide more accurate information that meets the needs of each individual user.
3. More efficient search. When using conventional search engines, finding the best results was quite a challenge. However, systems have improved over the years with semantically relevant search based on context and query metadata. This provides more convenient sorting of pages and easy selection of the necessary information.
4. Advanced advertising and marketing. Few people like being bombarded with unnecessary online advertising. But if the banners match your interests and needs, it can be useful and not annoying with its presence. Web 3.0 aims to improve ad selection through smarter AI systems and identify relevant audiences based on consumer data.
5. Improved customer support. When it comes to websites and apps, customer service is a key element of the user experience. However, due to enormous costs, many services that become successful fail to scale their customer service processes accordingly. By using smarter chatbots that can communicate with multiple customers simultaneously, users can have a superior experience with support agents.
How does cryptocurrency fit into Web 3.0?
Speaking about Web 3.0, one cannot fail to note the enormous potential of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Decentralized networks have successfully created incentives for more responsible ownership, data management, and content creation. Among the most important aspects for Web 3.0 are:
1. Digital crypto wallets. Any user can create a wallet and make transactions using it as a digital signature. This eliminates the need to store data or create an account with a centralized service provider. The user gets full control over the wallet and can use the same wallet on multiple blockchains.
2. Decentralization. Open distribution of information and power to many people using blockchain. This contrasts with Web 2.0, where big tech giants dominate many aspects of our online lives.
3. Digital economy. The ability to own data on the blockchain and use decentralized transactions creates a new digital economy. This makes it easy to use and trade goods, services and content online without providing banking or personal details. This openness improves access to financial services and helps users earn money.
4. Compatibility. Networked DApps and data are becoming increasingly interoperable. Blockchains built with the Ethereum Virtual Machine can easily support each other's DApps, wallets, and tokens. This facilitates the widespread adoption needed to bring Web 3.0 together.
Using Web 3.0
Although the Web 3.0 generation is still in development, we have several examples of using its features:
Voice assistants Siri and Alexa
Both Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa are voice assistants that meet many of the demands of Web 3.0. AI and live speech processing help these services better understand human voice commands. The more people use Siri and Alexa, the faster their AI develops and their interaction abilities improve. Such assistants are an ideal example of a semi-intelligent web application from the world of Web 3.0.
Smart Homes
One of the key features of Web 3.0 is ubiquity, meaning that data and online services can be accessed from multiple devices. Heating, air conditioning and other utilities can be adjusted automatically within a smart home. A smart home knows when you leave, when you return, and what room temperature you like. It will be able to use this information and more to provide you with the best automated service. You can control this system directly from your phone or other online device.
Summary
The Internet has changed significantly since its inception, and will certainly only continue to evolve in the future. With the massive flow of data available, sites and apps will be able to migrate to a network that offers improved experiences for users around the world. Although the Web 3.0 generation still does not have a specific definition, innovations associated with it are already being introduced into our lives. We have a rough idea of what the technologies of the future will be, and the creation of Web 3.0 will be the most important stage in their development.
