With Web3 just on the horizon, governments across the world are already trying to reap its benefits. 

The Current State of Digitalised Governments

At the moment, interoperability across a variety of platforms, such as social media, is very easy. Even as a new user, it is very easy to sign up to a new platform if you already have an existing Google or Youtube account. You simply sign in with either of those accounts and you have created a new account for your desired platform. Unfortunately, this is not the same for government services. Registration is much slower and there is no option to link with another account, which would automatically transfer your data from one platform to the next. As a consequence of this, the data becomes rapidly outdated and thus becomes inaccurate and useless. Web3, however, can solve these problems. 

 

 

Web3 and the Semantic Web’s Role in Digitising Governments

A large part of Web3 will be the semantic web. The Semantic web makes the web readable by connecting data across it so it can be understood contextually and conceptually. With the Semantic web, the aforementioned issue with government platforms will be resolved. With the Semantic web in mind, what are the other benefits in digitising governments? Services are made more accessible and more integrated within organisations, information is more ‘intelligent’ and large stores of data can be transformed and integrated seamlessly across governmental departments.

 

The Political and Economic Benefits

It’s very easy to say that the Semantic web and Web3 will help digital governments in an overall sense; but it's worth looking at how they can implement change and encourage progression in specific areas. With regards to policy making, governments will be able to draw data across departments to bring a multi-departmental view of a citizen or group of citizens, to inform new sustainable policies which best reflect society's needs. Digitised governments will be able to create a level playing field for smaller and larger companies, improving its economic sector. Data will be provided from elsewhere and will have a predefined format, as opposed to the software projects of the individual companies themselves, in which larger companies will have greater resources and online presence. As a result, smaller and larger companies can compete equally, which aims to reduce economic disparities. 

 

Next steps

With the growing risk of cybercrime and an increased focus on cyber security, the importance of responsibly collecting data and creating a more accessible data ecosystem has never been more crucial. Despite Web3 not yet being a reality, governments should be implementing the processes and tools in preparation for it to create a digital infrastructure which will be compatible with our future's needs. 

 

Date: 14/7/2022

Source: Yusuf Sohoye, The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, 'Just Semantics: How Web 3.0 Can Make Digital Government a Reality'.