New York: Reflecting on the 35th anniversary of his groundbreaking invention, the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee delved into the past and future of the internet. He remarked, “When it started, I couldn’t have predicted that it was going to be like this, this change.” Recalling the exponential growth of traffic to the first website, info.cern.ch, he emphasized the need to ensure the web’s stability, stating, “Now this is going to be a serious thing. We need to make sure it doesn’t collapse.”
Looking ahead, Berners-Lee offered three intriguing predictions for the next 35 years:
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Prediction 1: Everyone will have a personal AI assistant
Berners-Lee envisioned a future where AI fundamentally transforms our interaction with the web. He foresaw the ubiquity of AI assistants tailored to individuals’ needs. “Some people worry about whether, in 35 years, AI will be more powerful than us,” he acknowledged, “but one of the things I predict… is you will have an AI assistant, which you can trust, and it works for you, like a doctor.”
Prediction 2: Ownership of our data across all platforms
Anticipating a paradigm shift in data ownership, Berners-Lee envisioned a web where individuals regain control of their data. Rather than tech giants dictating data usage, users would have their own data stores, or “pods”. These pods would serve as digital sanctuaries, enabling users to consolidate and manage their information securely. Berners-Lee elaborated, “All of your to-do lists, calendar events, and so on… will come together, so the ability to live your life becomes much more powerful.”
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Prediction 3: A Big Tech company could get broken up
In a potentially seismic shift, Berners-Lee speculated on the dissolution of a major tech conglomerate. He suggested that rapid advancements in AI might prompt regulatory action, leading to the breakup of monopolistic entities. Reflecting on the fluid nature of technology, he remarked, “Monopolies changed pretty quickly back in the web.” While acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding which company might face such consequences, Berners-Lee emphasized the inevitability of change.
“Maybe the companies were prompted a bit by the possibility of regulation. But this was an independent thing. Things are changing so quickly. AI is changing very, very quickly. There are monopolies in AI. Monopolies changed pretty quickly back in the web. Maybe at some point in the future, agencies will have to work to break up big companies, but we don’t know which company that will be.”
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While the future of the web remains uncertain, Tim Berners-Lee’s insights offer compelling glimpses into potential trajectories. Whether it’s the democratization of AI, the empowerment of individuals in data management, or the reshaping of tech giants, the evolution of the web promises to be a captivating journey.
