2. INTRODUCTION
Collective Intelligence is a term that has become essential to modern internet
functions. In this presentation, I will:
Explain what collective intelligence is
Provide some examples as to how it works
Examine how it relates to Web 2.0
3. INTRODUCTION
In addition to the topics already mentioned, I will also:
Describe some of the benefits of collective intelligence
Examine social media and how it relates to collective intelligence
Give an example of the effects of social media and collective intelligence on a larger scale
4. WHAT IS COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE?
Collective intelligence is defined as, " a phenomenon in sociology where a shared or
group intelligence emerges from the collaboration and competition of many
individuals." ( Dictionary.com's online dictionary, n.d)Though this term is used in
several fields, this presentation will focus on collective intelligence as it relates to the
internet.
5. WHAT IS COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE?
Collective Intelligence, in terms of the internet, generally refers to users of a website,
software or internet service making contributions that better the function of that
service as a whole.There are a large number of ways that users can add strength to a
website. Next, we will look at some examples of websites that make use of collective
intelligence.
6. BLOGS
Blogs are a way of sharing information with others.This form of communicating has
become increasingly popular in recent times.Wordpress.com, one of the leading sites
for blog creation, has over 409 million people viewing over 14.7 billion pages each
month. (Wordpress.com stats, n.d) Collective intelligence tools are a common part of
most blogging practices.
7. BLOGS AND COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE
Linking to other blogs is often done in the blogging world.These links create a
connection between blogs of similar interests.The advantage of this is a network of
information and opinions that spans a large variety of interests in a way that was not
easily accomplished before blogs became common and it demonstrates some of the
principles of collective intelligence.
8. WIKIS
Another website in which collective intelligence tools are put to use is a wiki. A wiki is a
type of website that allows multiple people to edit or add to the content on the pages
of that wiki.A wiki is usually text-based and can be edited by anyone or just a selected
group of people.The description of a wiki makes it a good example of collective
intelligence ideas.
9. WIKIS AND COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE
In the use of a wiki, contributors edit the information contained on a page or they may
choose to add their own insights.With a large number of people working in this
manner, wikis are able to provide information that is a collaborative effort. Mistakes and
inaccuracies have a higher chance of being corrected than if the text was edited by a
single person.This is one of the reasons wikis are a good example of some of the
benefits of collective intelligence.
10. VIDEO-SHARING WEBSITES
Video-sharing websites such asVimeo, Dailymotion and the popularYouTube, get their
content mainly from users.They generally allow users to upload videos, add tags, and
share these videos with others.As is the case with the other websites mentioned
previously, collective intelligence is in use in these websites as well.
11. VIDEO-SHARING WEBSITES AND COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE
One of the main effects collective intelligence has on video-sharing websites is that
without input from the users themselves these websites would not function properly, if
at all.The tags added to each video by users adds important information for sorting the
videos but can also add more abstract terms, such as the feelings associated with the
video.The fact that users can add harder to define terms to their tags exemplifies
another facet of collective intelligence.
12. VIDEO-SHARING WEBSITES AND COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE
In addition to the benefits for searching, the tags added by users to video-sharing
websites also allows for the display of related videos that might not have been chosen
under a indexing system strictly controlled by the website.With 100 hours of video
being uploaded to the widely usedYouTube every minute (YouTube.com statistics, n.d)
the tags added by user likely gives a needed supplement to the sorting tools already in
place.The collective information submitted by users gives additional strength to the
websites.
13. COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE AND WEB 2.0
Now that I have explained collective intelligence and given some examples of how it can
be used, I would like to discuss its relevance toWeb 2.0.Web 2.0 is a more
contemporary way of designing internet content with a focus on cooperation. Because
of this cooperative center, collective intelligence has a definite place inWeb 2.0.
14. COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE AND WEB 2.0
The 2005 article 'What Is Web 2.0' written byTim O'Reilly says this in reference to
collective intelligence and Web 2.0, "The central principle behind the success of the
giants born in the Web 1.0 era who have survived to lead the Web 2.0 era appears to
be this, that they have embraced the power of the web to harness collective
intelligence."This statement summarizes the impact that collective intelligence has had
on Web 2.0. Incorporating content and information contributed by users can have a
strong positive effect on a website and is considered one of the key points ofWeb 2.0.
15. BENEFITS OF USING COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE
The examples given in the beginning of the presentation already present some of the
benefits of collective intelligence. However, there are several more benefits than the
ones I have mentioned so far and I would like to add what I believe is an additional
advantage.This new point is that, in my opinion, a website may be able to achieve an
increase in efficiency in catering content to a target audience through collective
intelligence tools.
16. BENEFITS OF USING COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE
For example of these benefits I look to websites like Reddit, that employ a system that
allows users to rate stories and discussions, which gives users a list of information that
is controlled by the votes of other users.This means that the topics interesting to the
users of Reddit have a good chance of being seen by the appropriate users.With over
114,000,000 unique visitors in March 2014 (Reddit.com statistics, 2014) Reddit appears
to have made good use of its collective intelligence system and is an example of this
benefit of collective intelligence.
17. SOCIAL MEDIA, COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE AND THE EFFECT THEY
HAVE ON A LARGER SCALE
Social media websites are a common feature in the online activities of many internet
users. In 2013 it was estimated that nearly one in four people will use social networks
worldwide (eMarketer, 2013). Social media websites themselves typically have a
collective intelligence component with a large network of users connecting with each
other. However, social media can also have farther reaching effects. Crowd-funding
websites, like Kickstarter, that encourage sharing through popular social media websites
like Facebook and Twitter, can have a positive influence on businesses and communities.
18. SOCIAL MEDIA, COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE AND THE EFFECT THEY
HAVE ON A LARGER SCALE
Crowd-funding websites allow average people to fund ideas, inventions, and businesses. More
than five million people have backed projects through Kickstarter alone.(McGregor &
Benenson, 2013) Users of these websites often use social media to share projects that they are
interested in and the people they have shared with may choose to send this information to
more people.This creates an entire network of people who can fund a project more quickly.
This effect is also an example of some collective intelligence ideas in that this group of people
can accomplish a goal more efficiently together.When these projects are funded they can create
new opportunities for many indiviuals, which in turn can provide opportunities that make a
community better.This is just one of the ways that collective intelligence and social media
impact the outside world.
19. IN CONCLUSION
In short, collective intelligence occurs when the knowledge from a group of people is
put together and creates a combined center of intelligence.The use of tools based on
collective intelligence has many benefits for websites and other internet presences
and some of those benefits have been outlined in this presentation. However, there are
even more examples that can be given on collective intelligence and related topics. For
more insights I recommend reading the articles 'Decisions 2.0:The Power of Collective
Intelligence' written by Eric Bonabeau in 2009 and 'What is Web 2.0' written by Tim
O'Reilly in 2005.With all of this information, I hope that I have provided a clear picture
of collective intelligence and what it means to Web 2.0 and the internet as a whole.
20. NOTES
Bonabeau, E. (2009, January 9). Decisions 2.0:The power of collective intelligence. MITSloan Management Review.Retrieved from
http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/decisions-20-the-power-of-collective-intelligence/
Collective intelligence. (n.d.). Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon. Retrieved April 21, 2014, from Dictionary.com website:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/collective intelligence
eMarketer. (2013). Social networking reaches nearly one in four around the world. eMarketer.com. Retrieved April 23, 2014 from
http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Social-Networking-Reaches-Nearly-One-Four-Around-World/1009976
McGregor, M. & Benenson, F. (2013, October 29). Five million backers! [Web log post] Retrieved from
https://www.kickstarter.com/blog/five-million-backers
21. NOTES
Nations, D., (n.d.).What is a wiki? Retrieved April 21, 2014, from
http://webtrends.about.com/od/wiki/a/what_is_a_wiki.htm
O'Reilly,T. (2005, September 30). What is web 2.0. Retrieved April 21, 2014, from
http://oreilly.com/pub/a/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html?page=1
Reddit.com. (n.d.). About reddit. Retrieved April 22, 2014 from
http://www.reddit.com/about
WordPress.com. (n.d.). Stats. Retrieved April, 22, 2014 from
http://en.wordpress.com/stats/
Youtube.com. (n.d.). Statistics. Retrieved April 22, 2014 from
http://www.youtube.com/yt/press/statistics.html
