The Semantic Web
| September 2, 2004, 11:10 amAn incredibly powerful idea that would allow computers to deal with meaning.
Imagine an extension of the web where information, given well defined meaning is shared across boundaries allowing a whole new raft of products and services.
Currently computers work with fairly raw information manipulating characters and strings, when Google searches it matches words and phrases to return relevant pages, spam filters reject email on the strength of finding V1aGrA in an email.
But what if information was routinely wrapped with Meta Data that gave it a clearly defined meaning?
In isolation it wouldn't seem to make much of a difference, however when this information is shared and cross referenced it becomes incredibly powerful.
Personal agents could organise meetings, checking when everyone is available, finding a location based on common preferences and even making reservations, with the venue checking that the organiser is trusted.
Tasks that would imply knowledge and understanding on the part of a software agent, can be achieved without Artificial Intelligence when data is structured and shared in this way
Further Reading:
W3C The Semantic Web
Scientific American Article
