On the second (and current) generation of the web, we are already able to work from virtual offices, engage in online education, and create multimedia content. So, what does Web 3.0 offer that web 2.0 isn’t yet delivering? The following five features are central to what sets the next evolution of the internet apart from the one we’re enjoying now.

1. Decentralization

You’ve probably seen this coming with things like blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, which have created a decentralized, digital dimension within the global economy. With Web 3.0, this decentralization will expand, thanks in large part to our ability to store data securely across many different devices rather than in massive, centralized server hubs.

2. Edge computing

We’ll avoid going into too much technical jargon here as it’s sufficient to say that edge computing is what will allow Web 3.0 to manage and make use of an endless and overwhelming flow of data. Web 2.0 is already filled with so much data that we can’t even give you a measure of how large it is. And that data is added to every day. Edge computing is what allows for the decentralization mentioned above.

3. Artificial Intelligence

The work of AI already features heavily in Web 2.0. If you’ve ever received customer service from a chatbot, used accounts payable automation, or enjoyed a video recommended by the YouTube algorithm, then you’ve benefited from the rise of AI.

Web 3.0 won’t just feature AI, however – it will be defined by AI. The algorithms of Web 3.0 will be able to process and understand information on a far more human-like level, allowing them to deliver better, faster, and more targeted results. This will also feed into the next defining feature.

4. Personalization

With AI capabilities jumping up several levels to create Web 3.0, users can look forward to a far more customized, personalized experience every time they log on. Think of it like stepping into a ritzy country club where everyone knows your name, your favorite cocktail, the time of day you like to take lunch, and which banana lounge you want your towel to be draped over when you step out of the pool.

Of course, this personalization comes at a price. In order to give you an experience that meets all your needs and desires, the algorithms (and the companies behind them) require vast swathes of revealing data. Don’t worry too much, though – you’re already giving that data away every time you post on social media, search for something on Google, accept cookies when browsing, enjoy content on your favorite streaming site, and the list goes on.

5. Always online

Web 3.0 will take us closer to a life that’s always online in one way or another. Step away from your computer and you’ll still be connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) via the interconnected array of smart devices in your home. Everything from your fridge to your door locks and your car will be connected.

This blurring of the lines between the “real world” and the online world is perhaps the most prominent defining feature of Web 3.0. As we dive deeper into this digitally connected world, it will become more and more difficult to distinguish between being online and offline. If this sounds outlandish, consider this: If you have a smartwatch, you’re already connected to the internet 24/7.

Now that you understand these five defining features of Web 3.0, you’ll be better equipped to recognize it when it takes over.