The Internet has changed a lot over the years. It started with Web1, which had simple web pages. Then came Web2, where users could interact and share things online. Now, we have Web3, which uses blockchain to make things more secure and less controlled by one party. But there's a new version on the horizon — Web4, also called the "symbiotic web." This new phase is about making the Internet smarter and more tailored to each user.

Web4 combines cutting-edge tech like blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and peer-to-peer networks. This mix aims to give users more control over their online data than ever before. With Web4, the Internet could become more interactive and personalized through advanced tools like brain-computer interfaces and virtual worlds.

So what exactly may it look like?

Key Characteristics of Web4

Web4 introduces several groundbreaking characteristics that set it apart from previous iterations of the web. Here’s what makes it unique.

Decentralization

Unlike traditional web platforms that store data in central locations, Web4 uses blockchain technology to distribute data across a network. This means no single entity controls the information. For example, decentralized apps (dApps) run on a blockchain network, allowing users to interact directly without needing a central authority. This can be seen in applications like decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, where users can lend, borrow, or trade without going through a bank.

And new technologies, for example, decentralized nodes and cloud storage by Dexnet, are making the Internet even more free and decentralized than it already is.

Interoperability

Web4 emphasizes the ability of different systems and organizations to work together more seamlessly. This could mean using a safe digital identity across multiple platforms without needing separate logins or syncing data between different apps effortlessly.

For instance, a user could start a task on one device and finish it on another without any hassle, or use a single account to access services from different providers. Or here is a simpler example: you can send a message from Instagram to Snapchat.

Personalization and AI

AI plays a huge role in Web4 by delivering content that is tailored specifically to individual preferences and behaviors. Imagine logging onto a media platform that knows your taste so well it suggests the perfect movie or article without you having to search for it. AI could also help in managing your daily tasks by learning your schedule and priorities, offering a truly personalized digital assistant.

We already have a lot of personalization on social media, but it can go even further. Entire pieces of content and designs may be created by AI for you personally.

Immersive Environments

With the help of technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), Web4 promises more engaging and immersive online experiences. The metaverse, a virtual space where people can meet, work, and play, is a prime example of this. Users can attend concerts, explore virtual landscapes, or shop in digital malls, experiencing these activities as if they were there in person.

Each of these characteristics helps paint a picture of a more connected, intuitive, and user-focused Internet — significantly shifting how we will interact with digital content and services in the future.

Web4 vs. Web3

Let’s compare Web3 we already know about and Web4 that may appear soon.

The Transition Is Happening Right Now

AI and decentralization technologies are evolving right now, shaping the future of Web4. It's too early to say that Web4 has arrived. So far it is only at the stage of its inception. But it’s worth following this trend so as not to miss the new information revolution.

Those who caught the Web3 trend first made huge fortunes. The Winklevoss twins Cameron and Tyler, early crypto investors, are now dollar billionaires. Right now, the window of opportunity is opening again. New technologies open up new opportunities.

Come to the free online technology conference NEW TECH SPHERE 2024 to learn about new technologies first-hand from leading speakers in the field of decentralization, blockchain and trading.