The Paradigm for The Next Generation of the Internet

In the early 2000s, Tim Berners-Lee, credited as the creator of the World Wide Web, introduced the Semantic Web concept. Standardised through the collaborative efforts of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), this concept is often referred to as the original Web 3.0. The Semantic Web aims to organise data in a way understandable to humans and interpretable by machines, enhancing data integration, search capabilities, and automation. It is the foundation for the "read-write-and-executable" web, enabling seamless blending of data and services. However, realising its full potential requires significant investments in infrastructure, tools, and expertise, which can be hindered by the lack of clear incentives and benefits, slowing its widespread adoption and development.

Implementing the Small Data Network paradigm, NetX aspires to become the data-centric next-generation Internet, serving as the foundational infrastructure that underpins the vision of the Semantic Web, or Web 3.0. Recognising that achieving a global consensus on metadata structures for the Semantic Web can be time-consuming and challenging, NetX provides a new approach by focusing on developing Data Interoperation Protocols that abstract data properties. This strategy provides greater flexibility, allowing for the creation of different protocols to capture various aspects of the same data. Moreover, by ensuring that data remains under the ownership and control of its owners, NetX also introduces strong incentives for Data Owners to actively participate in the network and share their data in exchange for financial compensation. As a result, this approach encourages greater industry participation and fosters an ecosystem where data sharing is incentivised and rewarded.

Furthermore, NetX's innovative approach not only empowers applications to search for required data and actively identify relevant sources but also fosters an environment where data becomes a dynamic, interconnected fabric that forms the backbone of the digital landscape. This interconnectedness enables the creation of intricate Internet-scale decentralised self-executing systems, which we refer to as Trustworthy and Reliable Intelligent Autonomous Systems (TRIAS). Operating within the Small Data Network paradigm, these systems represent the epitome of the 'executable' Internet that the Semantic Web had envisioned, where data and services seamlessly merge, undergo processing, and facilitate autonomous interactions among diverse digital entities.

Within this collaborative approach, an ecosystem emerges where Data Owners, Data Network Operators, and Service Providers work in synergy to unlock the full potential of data-driven solutions. This transformative shift is poised to revolutionise data interoperation, application development, and how digital systems collaborate, promising a future where the boundaries between data and applications blur and intelligent automation becomes the norm. As we embark on this journey towards the next generation of the Internet, it becomes evident that this evolution will be characterised by secure and privacy-conscious data exchange, creating an environment conducive to developing ground-breaking applications, research initiatives, and discoveries spanning diverse industries and domains.