Danny Hillis (MIT Media Lab) (Oct 2018)

Danny Hillis (MIT Media Lab Visiting Professor) – Google 2.0 (Oct 2018)

Chapters

00:00:17 Evolution of the Knowledge Graph

00:03:23 Capturing Statements and Tracking Provenance in the Era of Information Overload

The Evolution of Google’s Search Model:
Google’s introduction of the Knowledge Graph marks a significant shift from its traditional keyword-based search approach. This multidimensional search feature draws upon a vast knowledge base to provide richer and more contextually relevant results. The Knowledge Graph understands semantic relationships, enabling it to retrieve information even when exact keywords are not present. It leverages language independence, making it accessible to users across different languages.

Challenges with Knowledge Representation:
Despite its benefits, the Knowledge Graph has raised concerns about its control by a single entity, Google. This raises the risk of it becoming a competitive advantage rather than a shared public resource. Other major tech companies are developing their own knowledge bases, leading to a potential oligarchy of knowledge representation.

Underlay as a Public Resource:
Underlay is an initiative aimed at reclaiming knowledge representation as a public good. It seeks to aggregate statements and reported observations, along with citations and provenance information. This approach allows for a more transparent and verifiable record of information, enabling the tracking of statements and their sources. It has the potential to address issues such as fake news and the verification of information in complex networks of trust.

Underlay’s Significance:
Underlay serves as a foundational layer for addressing the overwhelming amount of information in the digital age. It provides a framework for building applications that help navigate networks of trust and interpret information based on purpose and context. The challenge of knowledge representation lies in capturing the relationships between entities, recording provenance, and distinguishing truth from the source of statements.

Initial Approach to Knowledge Representation:
Danny Hillis’s early approach focused on capturing statements about relationships between entities, along with the provenance of those statements. This approach aimed to record the fact that a statement was made, rather than verifying its truthfulness. It allowed for the accumulation of information without the burden of determining its absolute truth, which can be challenging to ascertain.

00:11:32 Trust and the Public Good

Abstract

The Evolution of Knowledge Representation: From Freebase to Underlay

A Leap in Knowledge Sharing: Danny Hillis’ Vision and Google’s Knowledge Graph

In the digital age, the representation and sharing of knowledge have undergone significant transformations. This article delves into the evolution of knowledge representation, starting from Danny Hillis’ vision of a shared knowledge resource, leading to the creation of Freebase, its acquisition and transformation into Google’s Knowledge Graph, and the emergence of Underlay as a public knowledge repository.

Danny Hillis, a pioneer in the field, recognized the imperative for a machine-readable format of the world’s knowledge, accessible to all. His vision materialized through Freebase, a database designed to democratize knowledge without a defined business model. However, the pivotal moment came when Google acquired Freebase, morphing it into the Knowledge Graph. This entity, containing an enormous array of interconnected data, revolutionized search capabilities by transcending traditional keyword-based searches. With its semantic understanding, the Knowledge Graph can deliver contextually relevant results, independent of language constraints.

Despite its advantages, the Knowledge Graph’s centralization under Google sparked concerns about knowledge monopoly and potential biases. This led to the conceptualization of Underlay, an endeavor to reconceive knowledge as a public good. Underlay’s methodology involves aggregating knowledge statements with a focus on provenance and traceability, thus ensuring transparency and accountability. It acknowledges the subjective nature of knowledge, allowing diverse perspectives and interpretations.

Underlay stands out by meticulously recording the origin of each piece of information, paving the way for applications that aid in discerning reliable sources and combating misinformation. The platform confronts the challenges of truth in a unique way, treating statements as reflections of perspectives rather than absolute truths. This approach is vital in navigating the current landscape of information overload.

Danny Hillis’s belief in the importance of sharing human knowledge, especially in a machine-readable format, was the impetus behind the creation of Freebase, a free database containing public knowledge. While initially developed without a clear business model, Freebase gained popularity among various entities, including search engines. Google’s acquisition of Freebase marked a significant milestone, leading to its transformation into the Google Knowledge Graph, an evolution that brought forth a multidimensional approach to search.

The emergence of Underlay, fueled by concerns about the centralization and potential biases of the Knowledge Graph, signifies a critical shift towards conceiving knowledge as a public good. By meticulously recording the provenance of information and enabling the aggregation of diverse perspectives, Underlay aims to foster transparency, accountability, and the ability to discern reliable sources amidst overwhelming information.

Balancing Knowledge as a Resource and a Right

In conclusion, the evolution from Google’s Knowledge Graph to Underlay represents a critical transition in how we perceive and manage knowledge in the digital era. While proprietary knowledge systems like the Knowledge Graph have their merits, the emergence of platforms like Underlay highlights the growing consensus that certain types of knowledge should not only be accessible but also verifiable and transparent. This shift is not just about technology; it’s about redefining our understanding of knowledge as both a resource and a right, integral to the collective progress of society.

Notes by: WisdomWave

Danny Hillis (MIT Media Lab Visiting Professor) – Google 2.0 (Oct 2018)

Chapters

Abstract

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