Web 4.0 (or Web4) is an innovative concept outlined by the European Commission, designed to compete with the emerging trend of Web 3.0, which is gaining ground significantly. impulse in countries or regions such as the US, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The Commission’s vision for Web 4.0 aims to put the European Union at the forefront of the next technological transition, incomparable the decentralization of Web 3.0.

Characteristics

Web 4.0 is expected to provide truly intuitive immersive experiences by seamlessly integrating digital and real objects and environments, enhancing human-machine interactions. This integration is expected to be achieved through advanced artificial and environmental intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), trusted blockchain transactions, virtual worlds, and extended reality (XR) capabilities. It is expected to be driven by open technologies and standards that ensure interoperability between platforms and networks, and freedom of choice for users.

virtual worlds

Virtual worlds, an integral part of Web 4.0, are immersive 3D environments that blend virtual, digital, and physical realities, offering highly interactive experiences. These environments persist and evolve even without user interaction and serve a variety of purposes, including design, simulation, collaboration, learning, socialization, transactions, and entertainment.

These next-generation virtual worlds are finding applications in sectors like education, healthcare, manufacturing, and utilities, transforming the way we learn, work, and interact. However, they also present challenges, including privacy, security, ethical considerations, and social impact, requiring a balance between opportunity and risk.

In the EU, approximately 3,700 entities operate within the virtual worlds sub-domain, representing around 24% of the global total. Policymakers are tasked with fostering economic growth and digital evolution while ensuring the creation of responsible and fair virtual worlds.

Opportunities

Web 4.0 and virtual worlds offer significant opportunities in the industrial and social domains. In manufacturing, virtual twins can help streamline production processes, making them more efficient and sustainable.

In the cultural and creative industry, virtual worlds offer new ways to create, promote and distribute content and interact with the public. In education and training, especially in the medical field, virtual worlds can be used for simulations, reducing risk and improving accuracy.

Virtual classrooms can allow students and teachers to visualize abstract topics or simulate scientific experiments without taking any risk.

challenges

Web 4.0 and virtual worlds also present various challenges, including issues related to awareness, access to reliable information, digital skills, user acceptance, and trust in new technologies. There are also broader challenges related to fundamental rights and trade challenges, such as ecosystem fragmentation and access to finance.

EU strategy

The European Commission has launched a strategy for Web 4.0 and virtual worlds to drive the next technological transition and ensure an open, secure, reliable, fair and inclusive digital environment for EU citizens, businesses and public administrations.

The strategy aims to empower people and reinforce skills, support a European Web 4.0 industrial ecosystem, support social progress and virtual public services, and shape global standards for open and interoperable virtual worlds and Web 4.0.

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