A Basic Introduction to

Semantic Web

Introduction

Hi! My name is Mike Darnell. I was born in 1974

My 1st job was modeling underwear & Roman toys

My partner is Virode Imtarnasan Thai, 38 years old, married, studied law Career: EA, Sega, IRM Web: Cnngo, Vertu,
Playboy

Is your website targeting and engaging prospects?

Where we do business

The Fun Bit

What do we need in order to have a conversation?

Our ability to process language is dependent on two elements:

Syntax

& Semantics

But what is Semantics?

Semantics
The study of meaning, focused on the relation between signifiers, such as words, and what they stand for

What is a Semantic Web?

Todays web enables computers to communicate using a common SYNTAX

The semantics needed for UNDERSTANDING are still handled by us HUMANS

But this isnt the plan

I dream of a web where computers are capable of

analyzing ALL

the data
Sir Tim Berners-Lee (1999)

On the Semantic Web data is interpreted by machines, allowing them to perform the work involved in finding, combining, and acting upon information on the Internet

How?

By moving from this

To this

Semantic Web models are currently based either on Explicit Meta Data or Implicit Deductions regarding the content on the page

Explicit Meta Data

Regular HTML

HTML with Schema.org microdata semantic annotations

The Explicit Meta Data is the model supported by the W3C via its

Resource Description Framework (RDF)

specifications:

Subject > Predicate > Object Thailands capital is Bangkok

Implicit Deductions

Many sites allow triplet-like deductions without requiring formal meta data annotations

Why do we want it?

A machine-friendly web = more free human time

A semantic web will empower us to understand context without resorting to search

It will empower computers to accomplish tasks and answer questions that currently require human involvement

Searching SEMANTICALLY rather than SYNTACTICALLY is particularly useful for:

Content in Context Answering questions

Best product, Ideal booking, etc.

Content in Context

A Star Trek sequel is a serious ENTERPRISE

But Which One?

Google isnt very helpful

Neither is Wikipedia

But a little structured data goes a long way

As does some context

Services to check out

Search Engines

Freebase is: An entity graph of people, places and things, built by a community that loves open data.

Hakia

Sigma

Lexxe

Qwiki

Aggregating and curating content

Topic Pages are popping up on publications everywhere

WSJ

Mashable

NYT

Reader apps

Semantic veteran Evri is moving from being a search engine

to a content aggregator and interest curator

Flipboard acquired Ellerdale to power its relevance and interest

Answering questions

Wolfram Alpha

True Knowledge

Assistants

Siri

Evi

Whats next?

Statistical Analysis

NLP

Over the next few months, Google will begin spitting out more facts and direct answers to queries at the top of the search-results page WSJ.com

Googles Knowledge Graph = 200,000,000 entities

(= ~10*Freebase)

The Internet of Things

Your fridge knows youre about to run out of milk
Your toilet know youre lactose intolerant
Etc

The Next Big Thing may be enabled by new Technology

But its success is dependent on its ability to match of our most basic needs

Questions?

Thanks!
Im at mi@vimi.co Mike