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The Fourth WebWeb4 Europe

The internet is becoming intelligent.

Web4 is where artificial intelligence, decentralized trust, extended reality and ambient computing converge. We chronicle the shift — and the people building it.

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Four pillars

The technologies powering the next internet

Each pillar is reshaping how we work, create and connect. Together they form the architecture of Web4.

Artificial Intelligence
AI

Artificial Intelligence

Machines that learn, reason and create.

Blockchain
Web3

Blockchain

Trustless coordination and programmable value.

Extended Reality
XR / VR

Extended Reality

Spatial computing for work, play and presence.

Internet of Things
IoT

Internet of Things

An ambient mesh of sensors and intelligence.

Two futures

Web4 can be exciting — or scary.

The same technologies that promise breakthroughs across every sector also carry real risks. The path we choose now will decide which future arrives.

Exciting

  • Healthcare. Remote personalised & predictive care, secure data sharing, AI-assisted diagnostics and surgery.
  • Social entertainment. Immersive interactive experiences blending augmented reality with tailored social content.
  • Politics. Decentralized transparent voting, data-driven policy, better crisis management and cross-border collaboration.
  • Ecology. Efficient AI resource management, advanced analytics, energy optimization and virtual education.
  • Businesses. Improved efficiency, predictive maintenance, stronger security, faster innovation and personalised experiences.

Scary

  • Healthcare. Technology failures, interoperability gaps, privacy issues, overreliance and overdiagnosis.
  • Entertainment. Excessive virtual immersion increasing isolation, fragmentation and addictive behaviours.
  • Politics. AI-generated misinformation, deepfakes, automated decisions and hyper-personalisation eroding trust.
  • Ecology. Greater resource extraction, energy use and e-waste, while virtual life reduces contact with nature.
  • Businesses. Security vulnerabilities, privacy breaches and scalability issues disrupting workforce and consumers.

A trusted entity

A balance between digital freedom & digital security.

“The European Commission has adopted a new strategy on Web4 to steer the next technological transition and ensure an open, secure, trustworthy, inclusive, and fair digital environment for EU citizens, public administrations, and businesses.”
EU strategy to lead on Web 4.0 and virtual worlds — 23/07/23

For Europe to remain competitive, a true Web4 strategy must balance appropriate regulation with technical openness. Our mission is to unite politicians, businesses and experts to build a Web4 ecosystem that benefits all.

Europe needs you

Leverage the community.

Web4 Europe is driving the European Web4 Messaging Protocol (EWMP) — enabling messages to seamlessly traverse physical sensors, AI systems, virtual environments and blockchain networks. A truly interconnected Web4 paradigm built to European standards.

Imagine a chat-as-platform with all the features of WhatsApp or WeChat that can also communicate with a bot, machine or avatar — built and secured with EWMP in Europe.

Web4 Europe has joined Telecom Valley, a leading French Tech association, to accelerate the EWMP project within the European Commission.

Join the community
IoT

Sensors

Connect the physical world.

AI

Agents

Bots that act on your behalf.

XR

Avatars

Presence across virtual spaces.

Web3

Trust

Verifiable, secure messaging.

EWMP

European Web4 Messaging Protocol — Made in EU.

Time for Europe to lead

From static pages to a symbiotic web.

Each era of the internet has been shaped by a handful of dominant players. Web4 is the first chapter where Europe is positioned to take the lead.

Web1Static Web

Users read and share information over static pages.

  • AOL · USA
  • Yahoo · USA
  • Microsoft · USA
  • PayPal · USA
  • Amazon · USA
Web2Social Web

Users read, write and communicate with each other.

  • Facebook · USA
  • Amazon · USA
  • Google · USA
  • TikTok · China
  • Spotify · Europe
Web3Semantic Web

Machines generate rich, decentralized real-time data.

  • ChatGPT · USA
  • Meta · USA
  • Binance · China
  • Sorare · Europe
  • Ledger · Europe
Web4Symbiotic Web

Humans and machines interact in symbiosis.

  • Coinbase · USA
  • Tencent · China
  • Sandbox · Europe
  • Bosch · Europe
  • MistralAI · Europe

Get in touch

Let's build Web4 together.

Politicians, founders, researchers, builders — drop us a line. We read every message.