We used to talk about Web 3.0, or the “Internet of things.” And how quickly that vision has become a reality.

No-one even calls it the web anymore, or talks about being online, any more than you talk about breathing. It’s just normal. Everything and everyone is connected, all day, every day, anywhere, anytime. Always on.

Our clothing comes with sensors that track our health and even (if we allow it) our GPS position – great for keeping an eye on adventurous young children.

Many young people have opted for implants under their skin instead. Every device or piece of furniture in our homes connects to the web, and our homes manage themselves; buying services on the fly from the most attractive supplier.

Most of our vehicles now drive themselves – but in any case, every vehicle on the road must, by law, be connected to TrafWeb, which tracks vehicles to prevent accidents and manage traffic flow. Collisions and road rage are things of the past.

Work too has moved to a different level. Back in 2011, FutureWorld published a series of ‘Beyond 2020’ scenarios. One said that “90% of business processes will be online and audited in real-time.” We haven’t reached 90% yet, but we’re well on the way.

It’s changed the face of the workplace forever. And with tens of thousands of new users coming online all the time, creativity is sparking like never before.

Remember that old saying when the web first burst into existence – that “the Internet will change everything?” Well, guess what? It has!