If you’re not an IT expert, the current buzz about Web 3.0 may have you confused. People say things like it will be “decentralized, ubiquitous, and driven by semantic metadata,” but what does all that mean?
Let’s break it down:
Semantic
‘Semantic’ basically translates to ‘what stuff means’, so the core notion is that Web 3.0 will enable computers to interpret things like syntax and context, instead of relying on keywords and numbers, which is what they do now. This more human-like understanding will make technological interactions not only more efficient and intelligent, but potentially more democratized – search engine results, for instance, need no longer be based on the number of hits, but actual relevance to the query.
Decentralized
Today, an alarming amount of user data is owned by a small number of tech giants, like Meta (a.k.a. Facebook), Twitter, and YouTube. Web 3.0 is set to change this with peer-to-peer interconnection and blockchain technology, so users will be able to keep ownership of their digital assets, with their personal data protected and encrypted, to safeguard it from being tracked, used, or controlled by big companies. Simply put, you should be able to decide if, when, and what anyone gets to know about you, online.
Ubiquitous
Web 3.0 will extend its reach far beyond PCs, laptops, tablets, and phones. It’s already making itself known in the ongoing proliferation of smartwatches, AR/VR headsets, and refrigerators that might tell you when you’re running out of butter. Along with 3D graphics and augmented/virtual reality, Web 3.0 is expected to further the advance of edge computing, where data is processed closer to where it’s generated—instead of through traditional data centers—improving response time and bandwidth.
So we’re looking at a near-ish future where you might tell your sunglasses, “Set up a date with Sharon,” and the glasses will understand that you’re talking about Sharon-your-girlfriend, not Sharon-your-mom, and suggest and even book activities and venues based on your and Sharon’s known preferences.
Clearly, Web 3.0 is going to present a plethora of both opportunities and challenges in the field of customer experience (CX). But having a clearer picture of at least these three attributes should help you and your CX team start conceptualizing what it’s going to mean—and can do—for your company.