Read the EU's new concept Web4 in one article

Author: claude; Golden Finance, Shan Ouba;

Reference source: Alessandro Adami《European Commission looks to the future and proposes development of Web4 technologies》

When we refer to the development history of the Internet, it is usually divided into Web1.0 and Web2.0 stages. Facing the future, following Web2.0, Web3.0 and Web4.0 have become widely concerned new concepts and development trends. Among them, the European Union has also proposed its own Web4 strategy. This article will briefly introduce the meaning of Web4 and analyze the strategic thinking of the EU.

What is Web4.0?

Web4.0 is a relatively new term representing a new stage of the Internet after Web2.0 and Web3.0. Its exact definition is still evolving, but some consensus has emerged:

The Web 1.0 era was the beginning of the Internet, when content was created by individuals but accessible by anyone. After the commercialization of the Internet, the era of Web 2.0 came, and the content and platform were mainly controlled by enterprises. This has led to a high degree of centralization of the Internet. Technologies such as blockchain have driven the wave of decentralized Web 3.0. However, Web3.0 is too focused on the technical level, and there are obstacles to the accessibility of ordinary users. In contrast, Web 4.0 will inherit the technologies of Web 3.0 while focusing on user experience and social influence.

Some key features of Web 4.0 include:

• Users are in control of their own data and privacy

• Blockchain-based decentralized network and platform

• Token economy and economic incentive mechanism

• A platform that protects the rights and interests of content creators

• Enhance network security and prevent piracy and counterfeiting

• Encourage positive user community participation

• Governance infrastructure by collective participation of users

Overall, Web4.0 represents the evolution direction of the Internet. Transition to a more open and decentralized network with power delegated to end users and the community.

**What is the difference between Web3 and Web4? **

Web3 and web4 are the new stages of the Internet after web2, and they have the following main differences:

• Emphasis is different - Web3 puts more emphasis on decentralization and blockchain technology. Web4 focuses more on improving user experience and social influence than Web3.
• Different technical means - Web3 relies on new technologies such as blockchain and cryptocurrency. On the basis of Web3 technology, Web4 pays more attention to technical means such as semantic web and artificial intelligence.
• Different value propositions - Web3 pursues the establishment of decentralized networks and applications. Web4 is more about getting regular users involved and actually benefiting.
• The landing stage is different - Web3 is still in the initial experimental stage, and there are many problems to be solved. Web4 is a future vision built on top of Web3.
• Different business models - Web3 business models are mostly based on tokens and encrypted economies. Web4 can combine traditional models to pursue sustainable profitability.
• Different regulatory attitudes - Web3 tends to be anti-regulatory and liberal. Web4 is more likely to face varying degrees of government regulation.
• Different risk control - Web3 is more inclined to hand over risk to code control. Web4 pays more attention to the social responsibility of platform companies.

Generally speaking, Web4 has a wider coverage than Web3, and its goals are more ambitious and idealized, representing the general direction of Internet development. But from the perspective of technology maturity, Web3 is still in the leading stage.

EU Web4 Strategy

The European Commission is looking to skip Web3 in favor of the so-called "Web4" initiative unveiled on Tuesday, which says little about how blockchain could play a role. A survey found that only 8% of people consider themselves familiar with the concept of Web3. For the European Union, the name Web4 comes in the context of the public's been trying to understand Web3.

The European Commission defines Web4 as the fusion of artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, blockchain, virtual world and extended reality capabilities. In its announcement about the push for Web4, it did not mention which blockchain technology will be used, or to what extent it will be used. The specific use of blockchain or cryptocurrencies is very limited in the statement. According to the European Commission, the transition from Web 2.0 to Web 4.0 is the main challenge. Emerging technologies will promote the integration of the digital and real worlds, and the virtual world is an important part of the transformation from Web3.0 to Web4.0. Virtual worlds now open up a wide range of opportunities across societies, industries and the public sphere that are now technically and economically feasible. And hopes to be the first organization to take advantage of this emerging form of the Internet.

In order to promote Web4 in the business world, the European Commission has proposed a project called "Virtual World Partnership". It could start in 2025 and will try to boost research and develop an "industry and technology roadmap for virtual worlds".

The main challenges faced by the EU in promoting the development of Web4

• Develop appropriate regulatory policies

The EU needs to find a balance between encouraging innovation and controlling risks, and formulate sensible regulatory policies. However, over-regulation may stifle innovation, and under-regulation has hidden dangers. How to strike a balance between the two is the EU's challenge.

• Balance the interests of different countries

There are differences in attitudes towards Web3 and Web4 within the EU, such as Germany and France supporting openness, while Eastern European countries are more conservative. Coordinating the conflicting interests of different countries on privacy, content censorship, etc. is a challenge.

• Responding to rapid technological changes

Emerging technologies in Web4 iterate quickly, and supervision needs to be updated in time to keep up with technological changes. However, the regulation itself needs a certain period of time to be revised, and how to deal with the uncertainties brought about by technology is a challenge for the EU.

• Competitive environment construction

Currently, there are no large technology companies in the EU to dominate Web4. It is necessary to establish a mechanism to prevent the loss of innovative achievements and talents. How to cultivate its own technology ecology is a challenge for the EU.

Generally speaking, the EU is more worried about the potential problems and social impact of Web3 than technology companies, so it tends to actively intervene and guide the development of Web4 from the regulatory level. Although there is a long way to go, it is foreseeable that a change in the regulation of the new order of the digital economy is brewing. The EU's experience will also serve as an important reference for Web4 regulation in other countries and regions around the world. Let us pay attention to this new Internet revolution together.