How Real the Semantic Web?

Most have heard of the Semantic Web, an idea developed by Tim Berners-Lee. Generally speaking, the Semantic Web, or Web 3.0 as it is also referred to, will be able to make connections among your personal information and devices to anticipate your simple actions, decisions and needs. (The classic, yet simplified, example Berners-Lee offered years ago is a call comes in to your phone and the Web automatically turns down the volume on your stereo. The example goes on to show more complicated tasks such as setting up an appointment with a new doctor.)

The SW is one of those futuristic musings that seem really intriguing when described but hard to believe will ever happen. Well, a lot of technology experts don't think it will happen either, with nearly as many say it will, according to a survey the Pew Internet and American Life Project released on Tuesday. (Pew offers a description of the Semantic Web in the report.)

Asked to think about the likelihood that Berners-Lee and his allies will realize their vision, often called Web 3.0, these technology experts and stakeholders were divided and often contentious.

Some 47% agreed with the statement:

• "By 2020, the semantic web envisioned by Tim Berners-Lee will not be as fully effective as its creators hoped and average users will not have noticed much of a difference."

Some 41% agreed with the opposite statement, which posited:

• "By 2020, the semantic web envisioned by Tim Berners-Lee and his allies will have been achieved to a significant degree and have clearly made a difference to average internet users."

Pew noted:

While many survey participants noted that current and emerging technologies are being leveraged toward positive Web evolution in regard to linking data, there was no consensus on the technical mechanisms and human actions that might lead to the next wave of improvements - nor how extensive the changes might be.

Semantic Web skeptics have been around for a while, as Nextgov noted back in 2007, when we were just the Tech Insider blog.