You may have come across the term "Semantic Web", but do you understand what it means?
The semantic web is a development of world wide web that we all know and use. The aim is to re-define the data stored online in an intelligent way, making retrieval, management and sharing of information much easier for end users. With the constant growth of information stored online, it is becoming increasingly difficult for users to find what they really need. The semantic web will come to change the way we interact with the internet.
Take the example of Google. When you search for a term, Google will methodically search through every web page looking for the words you are searching for, providing potentially millions of sites, many of which are completely irrelevant. The semantic web is a departure from this mechanical and rigid approach - it attatches meanings to words and concepts, enabling much more focussed and effective web browsing.
Wolfram Alpha, created by British physicist Stephen Wolfram, is billed as a "Computational Knowledge Engine", and provides an easy-to-use interface. When search terms are entered into Wolfram Alpha, the engine uses semantic web technology to bring together only information which is completely relevant to the query. Where Google simply presents web pages that already exist, Wolfram Alpha compiles information and presents it in a clear and concise form.
The engine is still in its very early stages, so is limited in scope, but already you can see the potential of this technology. I would encourage you to try out some search terms yourself to see what is presented. People, places, events, scientific and mathematical concepts, geography and all manner of statistics and data are easily accessed through Wolfram Alpha, and the engine is being rapidly developed as users worldwide try the site and provide their feedback. It is expected that over time, Wolfram Alpha will be able to accurately and succinctly answer very specific questions asked by its users.
Opinions are divided on the potential utility of technologies like Wolfram Alpha, with some commentators stating that its capabilities are simply too narrow, whilst others have heralded it as a signal of the transforming relationship between humans and computers... I suppose the only thing you can do is try it for yourself... www.wolframalpha.com