Personal Knowledge Graphs: The Sovereign You in a Web of Information
In today’s digital age, Personal Knowledge Graphs is gaining traction. These graphs are not just a buzzword but a powerful tool for managing and understanding the vast amount of information we encounter daily.
The Genesis of Personal Knowledge Graphs
The concept of Personal Knowledge Graphs is relatively new but has its roots in the broader field of Knowledge Management Systems. These systems have evolved over the years, from simple note-taking apps to complex platforms that allow for the interlinking of information. The video mentions that the first personal knowledge graph system was designed by a German sociologist named Luhmann in the 1970s. He used a simple shoebox and pieces of paper to create a system of interlinked nodes, effectively creating the first Personal Knowledge Graph.
Why Personal Knowledge Graphs Matter
Personal Knowledge Graphs are not just for tech giants like Google or insurance companies that collect data to optimize their services. They are for individuals who want to take control of their data and information. The graphs allow for a more natural representation of knowledge, making it easier to find connections and derive new insights.
The Evolution of Tools
According to a brilliant book — we could classify PKG systems in a next way
First Generation
The first generation of tools focused on note-taking but lacked the ability to create relations between notes. Information was siloed in different apps, making it difficult to see the bigger picture.
Second Generation
The second generation, exemplified by tools like Roam Research, introduced the concept of links and backlinks. This allowed for the creation of a more interconnected graph of nodes, revolutionizing the way we think about note-taking and information management.
Notable apps
- Roam research
- Obsidian
- logseq
Third Generation
The third generation, which is still emerging, aims to leverage artificial intelligence to work directly with the graph. This will allow for more complex queries and the ability to derive new information from existing relations. We have a big hope for AI agent that will help to create and mantain a PKG for user from a endless data streams. We have a too technical tools for Knowledge Graphs
- RDF and Linked data
- SPARQL
- Semantic data
All this is powerful instruments but to technical for user.
The Future and Its Challenges
I suggests that the future lies in tools that not only allow us to create nodes but also to describe and give metadata to the relations between them. Current tools are limited in this aspect, often ignoring the power that lies in the relations between nodes.
Conclusion
Personal Knowledge Graphs are an essential tool for anyone looking to take control of their information and become a self-sovereign individual. They offer a more natural way to organize information, making it easier to derive new insights and understand the world around us. As the tools for creating these graphs evolve, they will become an even more integral part of our digital lives.
