Here is where the next generation engines take off. Experience the journey as I explain each of the numbered items in the below visual. The visual you see below is an indicative representation to signify intelligence on the web.

1.The source of initiation for the entire scenario would be a search or decision engine. User keys in their specifics and rely on the engine to do the rest. The point of initiation is via a browser which loads up the engine

2.The engine also lets a user have a personal agent who understands preferences. They are either specified or gathered over a period of time via various medium (direct data entry or collated via social networking sites). The engine always consults the personal agent before initiating a search and displaying options to choose

3.The engine maintains a catalog of services (Indexed already as part of search engine capability), that can fulfill the request based on user preferences. Here is where users are provided options to choose in terms of the service offering, post which the transactions are initiated. Catalog of services are considered key to the success of the search leading to a match. However the choice that the engine provides is where the difference would be. Rather than throwing up a wide array of options like an output of a search query, the top 2 or 3 services (configurable) that match user’s preferences are displayed for consumption.

4.This is more of presenting options that a user can confirm before finalizing the transaction. The intelligence lies in taking users consent while performing critical transaction and providing recommendations on decision making aspects.

Innovations on the Roll

The biggies of the computing world like Microsoft, Google, and Yahoo are spearheading innovations for web. It would be interesting to witness the outcome of possibilities on the web to compliment the theories behind Web 3.0.

Microsoft just announced the release of its next generation search (decision) engine called Bing. Bing adds sophistication by means of enriching user experience on web during search by providing context and relevance to the outcome. The tool is expected to energize users to make informed decisions. Often we find that the search outcome does not take us anywhere.

Bing is the first step towards providing a platform where users can make informed decisions. While the initial focus is on Travel, Shopping, Health & Local content, lot is expected to evolve with time.

Another interesting innovation is from WolframAlpha. This is supposed to be a computational knowledge engine that brings out calculated statistics. This engine is pretty much on the lines of understanding human language. You can key in “Population of India” or “Height of Eiffel Tower” and check out the statistics that the engine brings out.

This is an interesting era with Web 3.0 doing the rounds and creating the buzz leading to hype. The term “Intelligent Web” is catching up soon with innovative solutions being offered as indicated above. With social computing becoming such a prominent element of computing, Intelligence on the web would just take computing to new heights.

(Author works as an Enterprise Architect Advisor with Developer and Platform Evangelism Group (D&PE) at Microsoft Corporation, India)