Semantic technology in search interest continues into new year

Happy New Year to all!

The interest in the application of semantic technology to search (whch I have blogged about below) continues as evidenced by this recent article quoting my colleague Rudi Studer from the University of Karlsruhe and there's more detail at the Yahoo! search blog.

I recently came across the following simple and clear introduction to the semantic web.

In other news, the film Australia has bombed at the box office all over the world.

European conference shows interest in semantic tech growing

The 2nd annual ESTC finished on Friday last week with an interesting panel chaired by Paul Miller. In addition to Paul and myself there were a further 5 panellists and we’d been invited to discuss industrial uptake of semantic technologies. Paul's report on the panel can be found on his blog. As for myself, I was pleased, not to say relieved, in my role as conference chair to see that we achieved a (small) increase in numbers compared with the first year. Furthermore, there was a shift away from academic attendance and towards a higher proportion of industrial involvement, with 65% of attendees from industry as compared with last year's 50%. We also managed to attract some good press coverage: how's your German?

Semantic search isn't a one horse race

Some people's excitement about semantic technology boils down to who's going to use the technology to leapfrog Google. This rather misses the point about semantic technology which has many application areas beyond search (see, for example, Michael Brodie's interesting post on this). But beating Google will continue to be a popular angle for discussing the future of the technology (and indeed information technology overall). It can be misleading though as is demonstrated by a recent article. This misses the point somewhat by suggesting prospects for semantic search are summed up by what Microsoft-owned Powerset offers and that against Google this isn't much more than hype. Besides seeming unduly negative about Powerset, the article's tone tars all semantic search products with the same brush, missing the fact that companies like Expert System, Hakia and Yahoo are reportedly getting positive results from their semantic search forays. Expert System are now looking at semantic matching in search engine advertising which they claim is more accurate than can be achieved by traditional technology. And, yes, my now-traditional plug: you can get this much wider and richer picture about the state of semantic search at ESTC 2008, along with presentations on the application of semantic technology to service-oriented environments, information integration, knowledge management and more.

VCs fund the semantic web, ESTC08 runs start-up competition

Commercialising R&D can be a challenge in some markets more than others. What is interesting about semantic technology is that venture capitalists and other investors now really seem to get it. One novel feature we are adding to the ESTC 2008 event I've mentioned before, is to offer a forum for new business ideas and ventures, as well talking about the latest research, development and business benefits of the technology. A lot of this will be done informally but there’s also a business idea competition. Calling it a dragons' den is perhaps going too far but we will be putting entrants in direct contact with a set of judges who are passionate about getting great semantic technology from the lab and into the market. And for one I am looking forward to hearing the pitches and announcing the finalist.

Semantic Search continues to attract interest and comment

Yet more on semantic search from people as diverse as Director of Finance Online and directtrafficmedia: 8 out of 10 decision makers indicate that semantic technology is having a significant effect on the sector. Attendees at the European Semantic Technology Conference can get the latest on semantic search from Yahoo! and hakia, amongst others.

Semantic Tech News Roundup

Semantic technology continues to be a hot news item. Before I went away I did a series of press interviews here in the UK which added to the news headlines out there. I also found some time to exchange emails with Paul Miller who's a great source of news and views about what's happening with semantic technology generally. In addition, Peter Mika at Yahoo! Barcelona has written an interesting article on semantic search. What with Microsoft's acquisition of Powerset, the Thomson-Reuters launch of Calais and the recent launch of an array of start-ups, semantic technology is starting to attract significant investment.

Getting Semantic Tech out of the Lab

First day back from my vacation and preparing for the ESTC event later next month in Vienna. Gathering up information that supports the event's contention that semantic technology is breaking out of the lab and into the commercial world, I drew up the following list:

- Information company Thomson Reuters uses semantic technology to automatically process news stories and feed features directly into algorithmic trading

- Chemical giant BASF uses semantic technology to search for alternatives to animal testing

- Airplane maker Airbus uses the technology in wing design

- The Italian Ministry of Culture and Heritage uses it to provide automated responses to tourist enquiries via SMS. Tourists can text questions e.g. about museum opening times in everyday language and receive a rapid reply on their mobile phones

It's in no particular order but it's a good taster of how semantic technology is going to be applied in a wider variety of applications than previously assumed. Most if not all of these companies will be speaking and/or attending ESTC, which has just published its final programme.