Our experts’ insight into the very near future continues from here
Where Search is Heading, Where Data is Going
Starting with 2010, I think the most significant event was Google’s acquisition of Freebase.
The number one search player voted for the importance of the Semantic Web with dollars and this is a significant win for the space and a sign that it has matured.
In terms of expectations, we can, in the near term, expect more relevant search results and possibly ranking of related topics coming directly from Google. Other uses of Freebase are possible as well, in terms of doing complex queries that aren’t easy to do using statistical algorithms like Page Rank.
Beyond that, we should see progress along two dimensions — one is on-the-fly transformation of non-structured data into structured and second one is intelligent programs that actually take advantage of structured information. Regarding the first one, we are still in the world where Freebase is mostly static, while Google search is dynamic. Bridging the gap where structured information is created on an ongoing basis, and perhaps on-the-fly, is important.
And then I think we are going to see more agent based systems re-appear. As information gets more and more structured it is only a matter of time before agent-based software comes to the spotlight. This time, the key will be simple/clean UX/UI and crystal-clear focus on a vertical problem to make sure it has a chance for mass market adoption. – Alex Iskold, founder and CEO, AdaptiveBlue
Written by Jennifer Zaino
