The World Wide Web has already gone through two main iterations, and we’re currently in the second one – known as Web 2.0. This markup signified the start of the social web, with a much greater emphasis on user-generated content and ease of use. Web3 is on the way, and this promises to bring decentralization and blockchain technologies to the forefront. But what about Web4?
There’s already discussion about this future version of the internet, which may not be too far off on the horizon. Some of the upgrades that come with Web3, such as AI and blockchain, could rapidly lead to further innovation that paves the way for Web4.
What is Web4?
Web4 is already on the lips of futurists because Web3 systems are likely to lead to the exponential evolution of the internet. According to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, “Web 3.0 is about creating a more immersive and interactive web, where users can engage with content in new and dynamic ways.” Balaji Srinivasan stated, “Web 3.0 is the next generation of the internet, where machine learning and blockchain will empower the end-user to take back control of their data and privacy.”
From what these experts are saying, it looks like Web3 will pave the way towards a version of the internet that is completely focused on the individual end user. That means anyone who logs on will see their own bespoke content, which will be completely different for everyone. This will mainly be thanks to AI integration, which is going to boom throughout the rest of the decade.
The AI Singularity
AI has already become mainstream in a short space of time, and some people, including computer scientist Ben Goertzel, expect the AI singularity to occur as early as 2027. Regardless of whether he’s right or not, there’s no denying that the technology can train and upgrade itself. With AI deployed to its full potential, it means that the scope of Web4 is limitless.
One aspect of Web4 that’s hard for people to get their heads around is the fact that it will be seamlessly integrated into our everyday lives as well. Through platforms like augmented and virtual reality, we’ll be able to see online elements superimposed on our everyday lives. For example, this could come in the form of subtitles appearing when someone talks or items in a room, revealing descriptive labels when you look at them.
The internet is already a vibrant and wonderful place that’s enabled more than anyone could have ever imagined. But it has become the norm, and we take it for granted. It’s no longer as magical as it once was, but technological upgrades in Web4 will likely take everyone by surprise again.
Web4’s Impact on Businesses
Businesses always have to stay on their toes and be ready for future developments, or they risk being left behind. It’s always the companies that are at the forefront of innovations that succeed, with Netflix’s annihilation of Blockbuster still serving as a classic horror story for other businesses to remember. The streaming service could equally risk the same thing happening to it if it doesn’t prepare for Web4’s evolution, with the entertainment industry likely to change dramatically.
The companies that are going to be successful in Web4 are the ones that are already preparing and focusing on improving the user experience. AI can already help with a lot of personalization, such as recommending content or products to users. By bringing in this technology now, it will learn and improve in the years ahead and put businesses in a solid position to benefit from its later capabilities. According to the latest figures, 35 percent of businesses have already adopted AI, and 42 percent are considering it for the future. That highlights how pivotal and disruptive it’s going to be. There’s a chance that companies that don’t adapt will be left behind by those that do.
Along with massive innovations set to hit almost every existing online industry, Web4 will also bring about new business opportunities that people aren’t expecting. Every iteration of the internet so far has introduced new sectors, and savvy inventors will discover new ways to provide experiences in Web4. These are likely to come in the form of AR and VR offerings. Because these platforms are still in their infancy, it’s hard to imagine just how world-changing they will be in the coming decades.
Payment Systems in a Web4 World
It’s interesting to think how payment systems could evolve in this upcoming Web4 world, as these have always been at the heart of many significant developments in modern society. The internet instigated online transactions and payment platforms initially, and this markup has rendered physical cash almost obsolete. Since the advent of Internet payment processing, things have also come a long way.
There are now countless services for businesses to choose from when handling payments, and understanding payment gateway providers is crucial. The latest leaders in the market come with enhanced security protocols with end-to-end encryption, ensuring users are completely safe. They can also be seamlessly integrated with other systems, such as accounting software or an e-commerce platform.
In Web4, payment systems are likely to undergo even greater developments, as these are one of the greatest focuses of Web3. By the time Web4 comes in, blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies should be ubiquitous, allowing for seamless transactions across any network from anywhere in the world. It’s even possible that people will no longer need to physically scan and pay for things in real-world shops. Instead, they’ll simply be charged for their items upon leaving the establishment.
Businesses Need to Prepare for the Unknown
One thing that’s certain about any new iteration of the web is that it throws new curveballs out there for businesses to navigate. There are so many fresh upgrades and inventions that nobody could have predicted in the past, but it’s important to adapt to them as quickly as possible. Blockchain is a great example of that. It was a technology that nobody knew they needed, but it has had an incredible impact across various industries since its inception.
For businesses to succeed in Web4, they need to be vigilant and on the lookout for the next disruptive innovation. And when it starts gaining traction, be ready to jump on it immediately. This has already been seen with AI adoption over the last couple of years, and the same thing could start happening with AR and VR soon.
The most successful people and businesses in Web4 will be the ones that think of these original ideas before anyone else. The future of the internet is still a blank canvas, with plenty of opportunities for great thinkers to come up with new business ideas or even novel industries that didn’t exist before.
Nobody can imagine yet just how incredible Web4 will be and how the online world will be completely intertwined with our everyday existence. It’s going to be a major leap forward, and businesses need to start preparing for it as soon as possible.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
