Currently, many researchers and computer scientists are gathering in Edinburgh, Scotland, to discuss the concept of organizing a massive information data source on the Web today.
Most discussions are centered around the issue of the “semantic Web.” Experts believe that information on the web can be intelligently labeled, translated, and linked through various applications. These applications primarily function to establish links and search for information.
Meanwhile, computer scientists argue that the “semantic Web” will help users find exactly the information they need. In recent years, integrating keywords into a webpage has been seen as a method to assist users in data searches, but this approach quickly became an outdated and ineffective solution.
However, many concerns remain about the development of the next version of the Internet. If new ideas are implemented as applications, will the interface be user-friendly?
Tim Berners-Lee, the father of the World Wide Web, believes there is still an opportunity to improve the web.
Redesigning the Web
Google PageRank is regarded as a leap forward in search technology. However, computer scientists assert that we need to exert much more effort and time to develop advanced tools. Even when the “semantic Web” is launched, it may not be able to replace search engines. The new web technology might merely serve as an additional tool for applications that assist in extracting information from the Web.
Meanwhile, Internet search engines could utilize web pages optimized for “semantic Web” content. However, Berners-Lee predicts that search service providers will be less enthusiastic about the concept of next-generation web technology.
“Search engines profit from search order placements in a chaotic environment,” Berners-Lee said. “If you don’t make requests or orders with them, they won’t profit. Therefore, they will be less interested in the semantic Web.”
Labeling information on the Internet involves breaking it down into code segments and classifying it according to certain principles. Data models can be created depending on various data subjects to link fragmented information across multiple Internet servers.
This represents a trend far removed from current search technology, which allows for keyword searches and ranks the popularity of information but lacks the ability to edit information to fit the search context.
“Google is great, but I don’t want to search for the keyword Exxon Mobil and receive over 6 million different results,” said Clare Hart, CEO of Dow Jones. “Google cannot help me find the 20 most useful and meaningful links.”
Challenges
The semantic Web can also be applied to enterprise data. However, businesses are concerned about how to label their data and what they can gain from investing in semantic web technology.
In the long term, companies need to recognize that data is a type of asset, asserts Richard Benjamins, Director of Research, Innovation, and Development at Intelligent Software Components.
Before “semantic web” technology can be implemented, we must convince businesses that their data can be managed and monetized effectively. However, the costs associated with data searching are very high, as we are still not utilizing it efficiently.
Unfortunately, we still spend a significant amount of time searching for various types of data and information. Moreover, this duration is not decreasing but is, in fact, increasing. The semantic Web has the potential to reduce this time and could provide businesses with a return on their investments.
Hoang Dung
