Last night, Internet enthusiasts gathered for a Capital Cabal presentation, “The Future of the Internet, Part IV.”  Lee Rainie, Director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, presented the results of a survey of nearly 900 Internet stakeholders, revealing fascinating themes, perspectives, and predictions on the way the Internet is and will continue to affect our society.

Rainie began the presentation noting the drastic changes just between the years 2000 to 2010.  A really good reference point – in 2000, only 5% of Americans had broadband at home.  Today over 60% have high-speed Internet at home (blogger’s note: many more have access, but choose not to adopt), making broadband “the norm of the Internet experience.”  He then went into detail about what our Internet future might look like, predicting the following:

• Search Improvements
  • Relevance (better quality)
  • Real time
  • Relatedness (semantic)
• Expansion of local awareness
• Conversational user interface
• Translation improvements
• “Social graph” expansions and nuances
• Rise of “the Internet of things”

See Rainie’s full presentation is below:

The next portion of the program called for a “pundit panel” to respond to the themes raised in the presentation.  Moderated by Hillicon Valley’s Kim Hart, questions were addressed by the Department of State’s Alec Ross and GeniusRocket’s Mark Walsh.  The overall tone was optimistic with a side of necessary caution.   Panelists predicted better quality user experiences, improved reputation management functions, and ongoing opportunities globally.  However, with increased information comes the need for better critical thinking and tolerance for loss of content control.  Even though cynical at first, Walsh concluded the event with, “Magical things are happening on the Internet every day!”

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