The web evolution started in the year 1989, i.e. Web 1.0, followed by the next extension Web 2.0 in the year 2004, and finally, it was 2009 when Blockchain evolved to potentially improve the semantic web.
While Web 2.0 still dominates almost the entire web interface, the evolution of Blockchain transformed it with a new dimension, i.e. Absolute control.
Web 1.0 was limited by reading with no interaction. A newspaper can provide the best analogy of Web 1.0
Web 2.0 made it interactive, thus the web transformed into a dynamic interface. It marked immense growth in the social media space. The present-day Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the likes of such giant social media are the best demonstration of Web 2.0 and are also the social media hegemons as of date. But the drawback of Web 2.0 is its data vulnerability. In social media, a centralized institution owns the data of the users. The users do not have the freedom to manage their own data. Using the data of the users they make millions while no or little share is offered to the users.
Web 3.0 improves the semantic web, which means the data is more interconnected in such a way that the search engine not only focuses on the keyword or numbers but also its meaning. The evolution of Blockchain and smart contract thereof made the interaction of users trustless and automated. Legacy data is strengthened by the interconnection of IoT(Computing devices, smartphones, sensors, etc.) and AI enhances the capacity of language processing.
Such an evolution of the Web has expanded new horizons of user experience. The Name Service in Blockchains, NFT, Censorship resistance social media, p2p Payments, Smart contract operated swaps, etc are some of the best use-cases of Web 3.0 which are slowly and steadily redefining the user's interaction in contemporary times. However, it's still a work in progress. So during this evolving phase, it has its challenges as well.
What Are The Current Challenge Of Web 3.0?
(1) Reasoning in Semantic web & Logic:
As the web interface is expanding and as there is a convergence of various operations of the real world into the digital world, the database is rapidly growing. When the database grows exponentially, the reasoning system may not be effective to filter out duplication, and further, when the search engine is queried for something not specific, it might produce distorted results. In other words, its usefulness is limited to specific queries and searches. This entire process may further become cumbersome when confronted with a huge database and duplications.
(2) Dilemma with AI:
AI is indeed a boon in the 21st century. AI enhances capacity, but it is dependent on the source of data. If the input data is corrupt, AI output will be distorted and misleading. Blockchain and decentralized verification of input data powered with Blockchain can eliminate such corrupt input though.
(3) Steep barrier to entry:
I want to be absolutely honest on this. It was totally a different domain when I was introduced to Hive. I have struggled to even set up a simple web 3.0 extension. From 1989 through to 2022, users have long been accustomed to "a password and forget password" kind of control. The transition to "absolute control and key-based control" will take some time. The educated class also finds it a high-tech and highly advanced thing. So despite all the positive attributes, the pragmatic way of integrating with the daily endeavors of common users is still a big hurdle. I wish this barrier gets lowered in time.
(4) Centralization within Decentralization:
The corporates and tech giants are always vigilant. Whenever an emerging trend erupts, they are first to endorse, adopt and re-package their infrastructure. The intent of the centralized spirit still remained at the core, they only repackage it in a different way to create a smokescreen of decentralization. That is still very much the case in Crypto. It's always welcoming if the adoption rate rises, but not at the cost of the spirit of decentralization.
(5) Formal Vs informal engagement in Web and two divergent infrastructures thereof:
Take the example of Hive. Decentralized, Web 3.0, Absolute control. But my engagement in Hive is purely formal. I also used to chat daily with other users over discord, Twitter, etc as an informal way of my engagement. This divide between formal and non-formal engagement is very natural, but the means are totally different and opposite. For informal engagement, I use Twitter or Discord which are centralized things. Web 3.0 has to come up with an overarching interface to inset all types of management. So the alternate decentralized version of Twitter and Discord should evolve alongside.
(6) Scalability:
Blockchain-powered Web 3.0 is less scalable than Web 2.0 for obvious reasons. The state and consensus of a network take some time to process. It has improved but is still behind the Web 2.0 speed. Users who are accustomed to traditional web 2.0 sites often complain about slow transaction throughput.
(7) Lack of an integrated approach to competition & educational programs to connect to the outside world:
Most of the competitions, essay writing, and social awareness programs are limited to Blockchain topics and for the crypto community only. It lacks an integrated approach. Unless an integrated approach by combining the imperatives of Web 3.0 and real-world use-cases is forged and awareness campaigns are organized on that line, Web 3.0 and its propagation will take much more time in the evolutionary time scale.
Conclusion:
The aforementioned notions are the challenges to Web 3.0, not drawbacks and in an evolving & aspiring technology, these are quite common. Web 3.0 will overcome these challenges in time. Not least, Web 3.0 has already demonstrated its capability in mitigating the inefficiencies of Web 2.0 and it continues to enable a modern internet, interface and experience thereof of 21st-century standards. With NFT, p2p, Smart contract operated DeFi, etc. Web 3.0 has already demonstrated its relevance and essential complementarities to mankind. But...but....but...Ye Dil Mange Moreeeeee........