The document discusses the challenges of information retrieval from the vast resources of the World Wide Web and introduces the concept of the Semantic Web, which enhances internet functionality by improving machine understanding of data through ontologies. It highlights how semantic search engines like Swoogle can provide more accurate and contextually relevant search results compared to traditional search methods. The paper also outlines the structure and components of ontologies and their various applications across different fields, including semantic web services, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce.