by Mark | Jan 22, 2026 | AI and Machine Learning, SEO, State of the Web
If you’ve been monitoring your organic traffic numbers, you may have noticed a concerning trend: impressions are increasing while clicks continue to decline. This phenomenon, known as the “zero-click era,” is fundamentally changing how we approach search engine optimization (SEO) and digital visibility.
We recently held a chat with Dave Jackson, one of our Advisory Board members who heads Tekkii Systems, a Kansas City-area digital marketing agency, and our executive director, Mark DuBois, to discuss what’s happening with search, how AI is reshaping the landscape, and what web professionals can do to adapt.
The Evolution of Search: From URLs to Zero-Click
Mark has been working with web technology for 34 years, and his perspective on search evolution provides valuable context. When he started in 1992, search engines didn’t exist. To visit a website, you needed to know the exact URL. People maintained lists of websites, which eventually evolved into searchable databases that became the first search engines. Google was actually one of the later entrants to the market, though they clearly dominate today.
For decades, SEO operated as a continuous cycle between search engines and marketers attempting to optimize rankings. Search engines consistently evolved their algorithms to prevent manipulation, from early keyword stuffing tactics to more sophisticated gaming attempts.
Now we’ve entered something fundamentally different. Mark describes it as the “zero-click SEO” era, where users increasingly find answers directly in search results without visiting websites.
The AI Disruption: Understanding the Impact
Since ChatGPT’s release in 2022, major technology companies have rushed to develop and deploy AI tools. Google, despite being the dominant search engine, found themselves responding to rather than leading this transformation with their AI Overviews feature.
When Google rolled out AI Overviews, the SEO community raised immediate concerns about traffic decline. The data has confirmed these concerns. Dave explains: “We’ve seen traffic drop–some estimates say by close to 60 to 64% across organic traffic.”
This represents a massive shift affecting virtually every type of website. The SEO community has moved through various responses, from initial resistance to current acceptance and strategic adaptation.
Understanding Zero-Click Search
Zero-click search occurs when users receive answers directly on the search results page, often through AI-generated summaries, without clicking through to any website. While this reduces traditional website traffic, Dave emphasizes an important distinction: “When it comes to actually engaging with a business or a service, it’s still going to end at a website at the end of the day.”
ChatGPT and similar tools may recommend businesses, but users ultimately need to interact directly with those businesses. The customer journey has changed, but the destination remains your website. The critical factor is ensuring your business appears in those AI recommendations.
SEO Fundamentals Still Apply
There’s ongoing debate about whether entirely new strategies are needed for what some call “AIEO” or “GEO” (generative engine optimization). Dave’s perspective is that it’s essentially SEO done comprehensively and correctly.
“The way that this is happening is they’re looking at a number of different areas as opposed to just your website,” Dave explains. AI tools evaluate whether you’re showing up across all their reference sources, which Dave calls “retrieval sources.”
This means maintaining topical relevance on your website while ensuring presence everywhere potential customers might look for information about your business type. For an HVAC company, this includes platforms like Houzz and Thumbtack. For restaurants, it means Yelp, Google Business Profile, and other review sites. The principle is straightforward: you must appear where people retrieve information.
Link Building in the AI Era
Links remain important, but the strategy has evolved. Dave notes that previously, building links from high-authority websites generally provided benefits regardless of specific relevance. Authority still impacts organic results, but AI recommendations prioritize extreme relevance.
Consider this example: Google reviews were once the primary focus for local businesses. Now that AI tools like ChatGPT make recommendations, they evaluate reviews across multiple platforms. The Better Business Bureau, which had declining relevance for local rankings, is experiencing renewed importance because AI seeks comprehensive views before making recommendations.
“You have to be on Yelp. You have to get on Better Business Bureau,” Dave advises. “AI is looking for a more comprehensive view.”
Links remain extremely important, but strategy matters. Success requires identifying which sites AI tools actually check when making recommendations, not just pursuing high domain authority.
Creating Conversational Content
How people search has fundamentally changed. Users interact with ChatGPT and similar AI tools conversationally, like speaking with a personal assistant. Instead of typing “auto repair shop near me,” they ask complete questions: “What is the best auto mechanic that fixes Toyota vehicles near [location]?”
This requires more natural content. Dave recommends moving away from robotic headings that simply combine keywords with locations. “Your content shouldn’t be as robotic, especially when it comes to your headings.”
Frequently Asked Questions have become increasingly important. Including comprehensive FAQ content demonstrates topical depth and helps AI tools understand your expertise across a subject area.
The AI Content Challenge
There’s a significant paradox in content creation today. AI generates approximately 99.9% of internet content currently. However, content that’s 100% AI-generated without human input typically doesn’t rank well. Search engines can identify these patterns.
Dave recommends the 80/20 approach: allow AI to handle 80% of the work, but contribute 20% of human input. That 20% provides uniqueness, authentic perspective, and genuine experience.
AI-generated content has identifiable patterns, from specific punctuation usage to vocabulary choices and sentence structures. Search engines have learned to recognize these signatures.
“You always have to get in there and say, I’m going to spend five minutes, ten minutes adding my own perspective, my own angles, what I know about this subject,” Dave emphasizes.
Tools like Originality.AI attempt to detect AI-generated content, though their accuracy is debated. Regardless, the principle stands: use AI as a foundation, then customize with genuine knowledge and perspective.
Local vs. National Strategy
Approaches differ based on whether you’re working with local businesses or national brands.
Local businesses should focus on comprehensive citation management and review presence across multiple platforms. They should also ensure accurate listings on industry-specific directories and maintain a complete Google Business Profile.
National businesses face greater challenges as blog traffic has declined significantly. The solution requires diversification, particularly into video content.
The Critical Importance of Video
Video content has become essential rather than optional. Dave emphasizes this point strongly: “YouTube is a massive retrieval source and a massive opportunity.”
YouTube functions as the second-largest search engine. Google prominently displays YouTube videos in regular search results and AI Overviews. Video offers more ranking opportunities than traditional written content because producing quality video requires greater effort, creating less competition.
“Anybody can just write an article in five minutes for any keyword. But not everyone can make a video for that keyword,” Dave notes.
Implementation can start simply with the following:
- Welcome video on the homepage
- Service explanation videos
- Contact page videos outlining next steps
- Regular YouTube content if resources allow
Maintaining Authenticity
Throughout the discussion, authenticity emerged as a consistent theme. Dave observed that ChatGPT’s recent updates often provide extensive responses with numerous follow-up suggestions. Users must exercise discipline to avoid being led down unproductive paths.
This connects to a broader concern: customer expectations for human interaction. When small companies implement AI phone systems, customers often respond negatively. Large corporations may successfully employ such systems, but smaller businesses face different expectations.
“I believe the best way to convey authenticity is through video,” Dave states. “You can convey it through your content if you actually get in there and modify what ChatGPT gives you.”
While businesses are encouraged to use AI tools for content production, what actually ranks well and builds trust is authentic content with genuine human input.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Predictions
Dave offers specific predictions and recommendations for web professionals:
Video Strategy: Even simple implementations matter. Start with basic videos on your site. If possible, develop a YouTube presence with regular content. The platform promotes content to new audiences regardless of channel size.
Community Engagement: As zero-click search becomes standard, finding alternative ways to reach audiences gains importance. Online communities are growing significantly. Platforms like Facebook Groups are seeing substantial activity and engagement. These communities provide opportunities to share content, assist others, and build authentic relationships with focused, engaged audiences.
Content Audit: Review existing website content to ensure it’s conversational and comprehensive. Verify presence in retrieval sources that AI tools reference. Dave notes you can even ask ChatGPT to identify appropriate high-quality authority sites for your industry and location.
The Trust Factor
Authenticity matters more than ever precisely because AI has made generic content ubiquitous. “People have accepted AI, but they’re not all in on it,” Dave observes. “They feel the squeeze.”
Users actively seek genuine human connection and expertise beyond what AI can provide. Businesses that deliver this through video, community engagement, and genuinely helpful content based on real expertise will differentiate themselves.
An interesting statistic supports this: studies indicate that nine out of ten AI investments from 2024-2025 were not profitable. Even major companies investing substantial resources in AI didn’t achieve expected returns, suggesting people don’t want complete AI replacement. They value AI efficiency but still want human expertise and connection where it matters.
Practical Recommendations for Web Professionals
The decline in click-through rates doesn’t signal the end of opportunity. It represents transformation. Successful professionals will adapt by:
- Building presence across multiple platforms beyond the website
- Creating conversational, helpful content that AI tools recommend
- Investing in video content, starting with simple implementations
- Participating in communities where potential clients engage
- Using AI as a tool while maintaining human expertise and perspective
- Preserving authentic human elements that differentiate from generic AI content
Dave’s guidance on AI usage is clear: “Don’t completely replace yourself because people don’t want it.”
The Role of Professional Community
Mark’s closing perspective emphasizes that the industry has navigated major shifts before and consistently adapted. What remains constant is the importance of staying connected to the professional community, continuing to stay educated, and maintaining commitment to quality.
“The pendulum has already swung back towards authenticity,” Dave observed. “And people really, really want it.”
For Web Professionals Global members, this is why our community exists: to help navigate these changes together, share effective strategies, and provide mutual support through industry shifts.
The web continues to evolve. SEO isn’t disappearing; it’s transforming. This transformation may ultimately benefit the industry by forcing focus on what genuinely matters: creating authentic value, building real relationships, and serving users in ways that AI alone cannot replicate.
Want to explore these topics further? Connect with other web professionals facing similar challenges? Learn more about Web Professionals Global and how our community supports professionals navigating the evolving digital landscape through our mission of Community, Education, and Certification.
by Mark | Apr 7, 2025 | AI and Machine Learning, Web Design Trends
For those who are unaware, the term “Vibe Coding” was coined in February, 2025 (yes, that long ago) by Andrej Karpathy (a co-founder of OpenAI). This approach relies on large language models (LLMs) to generate working code by providing natural language descriptions of the desired results instead of manually writing the code. We are observing a shift towards the use of AI to generate code. We have seen this in the state and national web development competitions we run. We have heard from a number of educators inquiring about this and how it can impact what is being taught (and should be taught) in their classes.
I thought it would be good to take a look at the capabilities available today (April, 2025). There are any number of AI tools one can use to generate code. Since I have been familiar with VS Code, I chose to use the tool, Cursor. It is readily available for download and can be used as a hobbyist for free and as a professional in a two week trial mode. If you don’t want to install anything on your computer, there are browser based tools such as Replit.
Given that I have been working with web technologies for roughly 33 years, I decided to use the code to build a relatively simple web page. First thing I needed to do was set up a folder to hold the resulting work. I started with this simple request.
I want to build a web page that contains a form seeking first name, last name, email, and comments. The background of the page should be light blue. The submit button should say “Submit Information” and the reset button should say “Clear All”
Cursor replied with the following information (and created the file in my desired folder).
I’ve created a complete web page with a form that meets all your requirements. Here’s what I’ve included:
- A light blue background for the entire page
- A clean, modern form design with:
- First Name field
- Last Name field
- Email field
- Comments field (as a textarea)
- Two buttons:
- “Submit Information” button (in green)
- “Clear All” button (in red)
- Additional features for better user experience:
- Responsive design that works on all screen sizes
- Form validation (required fields)
- Hover effects on buttons
- Clean typography and spacing
- A white container for the form to make it stand out against the light blue background
- Proper input styling and labels
You can now open the index.html file in any web browser to see the form. The form is fully functional for collecting information, though you’ll need to add backend processing to handle the form submission if you want to actually store or process the data. Would you like me to make any adjustments to the design or add any additional features?
Note that I did not request responsive design. I did not request a clean modern look. I did not request required fields. I did not request hover effects on buttons. Cursor did all this for me.
I then decided it was time to process the information submitted by the form. What better way than to create a PHP page to process the information. The prompt I submitted is below. Yes, I try to mind my manners even when communicating with AI.
Please create a PHP page to process the information submitted by the index.html page. Collected information should be echoed back to the browser.
Cursor accomplished that and provided the additional information below.
I’ve created a complete solution with the following features:
- Updated the HTML form to submit to phpusing POST method
- Created a new phpfile that:
- Maintains the same light blue background theme
- Displays the submitted information in a clean, formatted way
- Includes security measures (htmlspecialchars to prevent XSS attacks)
- Handles cases where form fields might be missing
- Provides a “Back to Form” button
- Has a responsive design matching the original form
To use this:
- Make sure both files (htmland process.php) are in the same directory
- Ensure you have a PHP server running (you can use XAMPP, MAMP, or any other PHP server)
- Access the form through your web server (not directly as a file)
When you submit the form, it will:
- Send the data to php
- Display all submitted information in a nicely formatted way
- Allow you to go back to the form using the “Back to Form” button
Would you like me to make any adjustments to the processing page or add any additional features?
Note that I did not ask for the input form to be linked to the PHP process. I did not ask for the PHP to be able to handle missing data. I did not ask for security features. I did not ask for a back to form button.
Of course, I would like the code to be a bit more maintainable, so I provided another prompt.
Please separate all style to a separate CSS file named cursorStyle.css for both index.html and process.php pages.
Cursor accomplished this and provided the following response.
I’ve successfully separated all the styles into a single CSS file and updated both HTML files. Here’s what I did:
- Created a new file csscontaining all the styles from both pages
- Organized the CSS file with clear sections:
- Common styles (body)
- Form Container Styles
- Results Container Styles
- Removed all inline styles from both htmland process.php
- Added a link to the CSS file in both HTML files using:
html
Apply to index.html
<link rel=”stylesheet” href=”cursorStyle.css”>
The functionality remains exactly the same, but now the styling is:
- More maintainable (all styles in one place)
- More efficient (browser can cache the CSS file)
- Easier to update (changes to styles only need to be made in one place)
Better organized (styles are grouped by purpose).
Note that I did not ask for the resulting stylesheet to be linked.
The results of these efforts can be found in the linked URL. You can try the example out and see how it performs. You can also see how it works on a mobile device (is the design really responsive). The link below will open in a new browser tab.
https://webprofessionals.global/examples/cursorVibeCoding/
One should note that during each step of the process, one can either accept or reject the results. For sake of this article, I blindly accepted the results.
First, let’s examine the resulting CSS. It can be argued that the code would be relatively meaningless to someone who has never written CSS before. However, one can simply hover over the code and learn. There is even a link to the Mozilla Developer Network. In this case, I am hovering over font-family. I confess I am starting to see some benefit in using this as a teaching tool. Start with a task, then have students review and refine the results. Perhaps.
Even classes (defined by a stating period) are somewhat explained. Of course, this mostly comes from the VS Code base.
The HTML is mostly HTML5. The default indent relies on tabs, but that can be a personal preference. The HTML document passes validation with no errors. The CSS file also passes validation with no reported errors.
Ok, what did I learn from this experience? First, it is incredibly easy to write code in this manner. Total time involved in creating the HTML, PHP and associated CSS – less than 5 minutes. Could likely have been done faster, but I type slowly these days. Is the code functional – yes. Easy to maintain – for the most part, yes. I know this is an overly simplistic example, but I was curious what I could accomplish quickly.
Now for my editorial part – where do I see the biggest issues (based on my 3+ decades of working with web technologies)? It is not the code being generated. I know there have been reported issues with more complex applications. However, I have confidence that will only improve over time. I also see that AI tries its best to follow established industry “best practices” with respect to the overall appearance of a web page.
I do see some looming issues. First – I see this potentially affecting/ eliminating intern level positions. Why should I hire an intern when I can use AI to generate similar code? With fewer interns entering the market, replacement of older developers is going to slow.
As applications become more complex, it is likely there will need to be more serious thought about architecture. I do not see AI tools addressing this anywhere in the near future.
Helping clients achieve their business goals is also a concern. Many developers/ designers spend significant time trying to help their client understand the actual business problem they are trying to solve. Often, clients are not certain, they just know they need something. I do not see AI helping much in this arena either.
Additionally, I did not see much regard to accessibility. Note the color scheme selected for the submit and reset buttons (red and green). Might be an issue if one is color blind.
In many respects, it would appear that the ability to code quickly is becoming an obsolete skillset. If one thinks in terms of programming, analysis, and project management, I do not think those areas are going to vanish. In fact, I see more of a need for thoughtful analyses and thorough communication with clients..
Which brings me to the crux of why I am quickly posting this article. I am curious what teachers think of Vibe Coding? I am hoping to do a second part to this introduction focusing on how this is being incorporated into the classroom (or not) and why? If you are a teacher reading this, please reach out to us (via the comments or contact page). We would love to know your insights. The world of AI continues to evolve rapidly. As a professional organization, we need to help our members stay abreast of these changes. This is why we seek your comments.
by Mark | Oct 21, 2024 | AI and Machine Learning
Web Professionals Global is proud to introduce the AI for the Workplace Certificate. The landscape of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and many individuals are struggling to keep up. AI is fundamentally transforming how we work. In the early days of computer science, proficiency in coding was essential to accomplish tasks. As technology advanced, applications emerged that allowed users to perform complex calculations without needing to write code, exemplified by tools like VisiCalc. Today, we are witnessing a similar shift. Just a year or two ago, interacting with AI often required technical knowledge to program the system. Now, AI tools enable users to communicate in natural language, making them more accessible. However, to maximize the effectiveness of these tools, individuals must excel in communication. Understanding how to craft effective prompts and engage in “prompt engineering” is crucial for guiding AI to deliver desired outcomes. Ultimately, the quality of your communication will determine your success with these technologies.
Certificate Overview
This certificate program does not focus on coding the next AI system. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of communication skills to achieve optimal results. For example, an entrepreneur may use AI to conduct a SWOT analysis of their business. In agribusiness, professionals might employ AI to analyze new regulations. An automotive technician could use AI to generate a resume and cover letter tailored to their ideal job. Marketers might leverage AI to brainstorm and organize strategies for new clients. Teachers can utilize AI to develop grading rubrics for project-based learning activities. Landscape designers may consult AI for plant selections in challenging environments. Construction contractors might rely on AI to create promotional materials as they pursue new certifications. Web designers can use AI to refine messaging for specific target audiences, while animators and game designers can enhance their creative processes with AI-generated script concepts and character backstories. At the core of these applications is language. Effective communication and specificity regarding desired outputs are essential. Success in the workplace has always required a combination of skills. Those with strong technical abilities are consistently in demand, but individuals who possess both technical and soft skills often ascend to leadership positions. The integration of AI into professional settings represents a new blend of these competencies, akin to coding but utilizing natural language to instruct AI on its tasks. As the demand for effective communication with AI tools continues to rise, the AI for the Workplace Certificate stands at the forefront of this transformation. This credential is designed to empower professionals across various industries and job levels to harness the full potential of AI. It is grounded in the latest research and offers tailored learning paths. Participants will not only gain theoretical knowledge but also practical skills in effective AI interaction. Upon completion, graduates will be well-equipped to leverage their new skills and certification in their chosen career paths. AI should primarily be viewed as a tool. For most of us, the future lies in leveraging AI to enhance productivity, foster creativity, and drive innovation across all aspects of our careers. While there is a notable push to train AI programmers to develop the next generation of AI systems, the broader workforce needs individuals who can seamlessly integrate AI tools into their workflows, utilizing these powerful capabilities to accelerate their work. As employers seek to hire top talent, they are increasingly looking for individuals who can work quickly, efficiently, and accurately. Just as you would not trust a mechanic with a Tesla if their only tool was a sledgehammer, or allow a heart surgeon to operate with only a saw, it is essential to equip yourself with the right skills and tools to thrive in today’s evolving workplace. The AI for the Workplace Certificate prepares learners to succeed in the modern world of AI, no matter what industry they are in.
Learn More
Reach out to us today to find out more about our brand new AI for the Workplace Certificate or any of our other certificates that are preparing the next generation of web professionals by emailing Steve Waddell, our Director of Education, at steve@4webpro.org.
by Mark | Jun 20, 2024 | AI and Machine Learning, Industry News
The image above was created by the ChatGPT Image Generator by searching the phrase “Please create a graphic that shows the difference in energy usage between bitcoin and artificial intelligence.” The image features a Bitcoin mining setup on one side and an AI setup on the other, with a balance scale in the center comparing their energy usage. The background includes tech-related graphics and symbols representing both Bitcoin and AI.
Bitcoin and AI are two of the most transformative forces right now in the world of technology, and we at Web Professionals Global are closely following them and what they mean for the future of our profession. Both bitcoin and AI have significant implications for the future of industries and societies worldwide. However, alongside their promise comes a growing concern surrounding the substantial energy consumption required to power these technologies. Today we are taking a look at the energy dynamics of Bitcoin and AI, comparing their consumption patterns, impacts, and the ongoing debate surrounding their sustainability. Readers may remember a similar article we published in October of last year. In less than a year, energy usage and future usage estimates have increased significantly.
Understanding Bitcoin’s Energy Consumption
Bitcoin operates on a decentralized ledger technology known as blockchain. The process of validating transactions and adding them to the blockchain network, known as mining, is integral to its operation. Bitcoin miners compete to solve complex mathematical puzzles, requiring substantial computational power. This mining process, essential for maintaining the integrity and security of the network, consumes a staggering amount of energy.
The primary driver of Bitcoin’s energy consumption is the Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism. PoW involves miners using specialized hardware to solve cryptographic puzzles, a process that demands immense computational resources. As more miners participate and the network grows, so does the difficulty of these puzzles, leading to increased energy consumption. In fact, the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index estimates that Bitcoin consumes 112.31 TWh (terawatt-hour) annually. This equals the entire energy consumption of some countries around the world.
Critics argue that Bitcoin’s energy footprint is unsustainable, citing its environmental impact due to reliance on fossil fuels and the potential strain on global energy resources. The decentralized nature of Bitcoin means that anyone with adequate hardware and electricity can participate in mining, creating a competitive race that further escalates energy demands.
The Environmental Debate
The environmental implications of Bitcoin’s energy consumption have sparked intense debate. Proponents argue that Bitcoin incentivizes the development of renewable energy sources, as miners seek cheaper and more sustainable power options to maximize profits. However, detractors point to the current predominance of non-renewable energy sources in Bitcoin mining, particularly in regions with low electricity costs driven by coal and other fossil fuels.
Recent years have seen efforts within the Bitcoin community to promote sustainability. Initiatives such as the Bitcoin Mining Council aim to improve transparency and advocate for the use of renewable energy in mining operations. Additionally, advancements in mining hardware efficiency and the exploration of alternative consensus mechanisms, such as Proof of Stake (PoS), could potentially mitigate Bitcoin’s energy intensity in the future.
AI: Energy Consumption and Computational Needs
Artificial Intelligence, encompassing machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), represents another frontier in technological innovation. AI algorithms analyze vast amounts of data to derive insights, powering applications ranging from natural language processing to autonomous vehicles. Like Bitcoin, AI’s advancement relies heavily on computational power, albeit through different mechanisms. The semiconductor analysis firm SemiAnalysis estimates that if Google were to use ChatGPT for every Google search it would require 29.2 terawatt hours (TWh) of annual consumption.
AI’s energy consumption primarily stems from training deep neural networks. Training involves feeding algorithms with enormous datasets and iteratively adjusting model parameters to optimize performance. This iterative process demands significant computational resources, often requiring specialized hardware such as Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and increasingly, dedicated AI chips.
While training consumes substantial energy, the deployment phase—where AI models make predictions or decisions in real-time—typically requires less power. This distinction highlights the evolving nature of AI energy consumption throughout its lifecycle, from initial development and training to ongoing operational use.
Comparing Energy Intensities
Quantifying the energy consumption of Bitcoin versus AI involves nuanced considerations. Bitcoin’s consumption is continuous and primarily driven by the mining process, which operates 24/7 across global networks. In contrast, AI’s energy use fluctuates based on demand for training and inference tasks, which can vary widely depending on the application and scale of deployment.
Recent studies have attempted to benchmark these technologies’ energy footprints. While direct comparisons can be challenging due to their disparate operational mechanics, some analyses suggest that AI, particularly during intensive training phases, can rival or exceed Bitcoin’s energy intensity over similar periods. However, AI’s energy demands can vary significantly depending on factors such as model complexity, dataset size, and hardware efficiency.
Towards Sustainability and Efficiency
Both Bitcoin and AI face scrutiny regarding their environmental impact and sustainability. In response, stakeholders across industries are exploring avenues to enhance efficiency and reduce energy footprints.
For Bitcoin, innovations in mining hardware and shifts towards renewable energy sources hold promise. Efforts to promote transparency and accountability within the mining community aim to mitigate environmental concerns while ensuring the network’s robustness and security.
Similarly, AI researchers and practitioners are exploring avenues to optimize algorithms and hardware architectures for energy efficiency. Techniques such as model pruning, quantization, and federated learning aim to reduce computational demands without compromising performance. Moreover, advancements in AI hardware, including the development of more energy-efficient processors, contribute to sustainability goals.
Balancing Innovation and Sustainability
As Bitcoin and AI continue to evolve, so too will the discourse surrounding their energy consumption. The imperative to balance technological innovation with environmental sustainability remains critical. Stakeholders must collaborate to foster responsible practices, leverage renewable energy solutions, and advance energy-efficient technologies.
While challenges persist, the potential benefits of Bitcoin and AI are undeniable. From financial inclusivity and decentralized finance (DeFi) enabled by Bitcoin to transformative advancements in healthcare, transportation, and beyond driven by AI, these technologies offer profound opportunities for global progress. How Bitcoin and AI will ultimately unfold remains to be seen, but the impact of both is already clear.
Research estimates that by 2025, the IT industry could use 20% of all electricity produced and emit up to 5.5% of the world’s carbon emissions. That’s more than most countries’ total emissions outside of the U.S., India and China. All of the computers, routers, smart devices and more that make up the internet use an enormous amount of energy. Additionally, as new technologies such as satellite internet expand coverage to areas that traditionally have struggled to get access, the amount of energy that the internet consumes will only continue to grow.
Wrap-Up
We welcome your comments and questions about this topic and the world of the web. Reach out today to find out more about our mission of “Community, Education and Certification.” We are always happy to have new web professionals join our ranks.
by Mark | Apr 30, 2024 | AI and Machine Learning, CSS3, Industry News, Web Accessibility, Web Design Trends, WWW Desktop View
As April is ending, I thought it would be a good time to review articles of interest which I have been reviewing this month (and articles members and colleagues have made me aware of). As readers know, web technologies are always evolving. This is that keeps me interested in all things web (and has for well over three decades).
Accessibility
New software has been developed to enable blind and low vision users to create interactive, accessible charts. The software is called Umwelt and was created by researchers at MIT and University College London. The software is designed for screen reader users.
AI
If you happen to own an iPhone (and it is newer than 5 years old with iOS 17), there are AI features available to you now. These include cinematic video editing (subject can be detected and focus can be changed depending on the action). You can also use the Live Text feature to copy text from images. Yes, this has been around for a while, but has been significantly improved. You can also create stickers from your own photos. Obviously a lot more is coming with IOS 18.
A recent study also revealed a surge in the use of AI to enhance video accessibility. Wistia’s State of Video report is summarized in the linked article. Interestingly, part of the study also found that shorter videos are not necessarily that much more engaging. We encourage you to read the summary and the full report.
CSS
This article on CSS trends for 2024 is most interesting. It is amazing how much continues to evolve with this technology. From new color systems to subgrids to cascade layers, there are many changes happening. Frameworks such as Tailwind CSS, Chakra UI also continue to evolve. Readers are encouraged to check out the above linked article.
Web Design trends
Here are some web design trends emerging in 2024. These include: denser, richer graphics, AI generated designs, micro interactions, kinetic typography and much more continue to evolve.
WordPress
Given that this technology supports roughly 38% of websites, we thought readers might want to know what is new for developers with the release of version 6.5. For those who do not know, the next version (6.6) will drop support for older versions of PHP (7.0 and 7.1). The WordPress Playground continues to evolve and some enhancements are discussed in this article as well.
Those are some of the articles we found interesting in the past month. We are curious what you found interesting as well. Please let us know in the comments.
by Mark | Mar 31, 2024 | AI and Machine Learning, CSS3, HTML5, JavaScript, State of the Web, Web Accessibility, Web Security, WWW Desktop View
Spring is officially here (in the northern hemisphere). A lot has been happening both in the organization and the world of web technologies. Readers of this blog know we are in the midst of helping many states with their SkillsUSA web design and development competitions. Winners at the state level are then eligible to compete at the national level in June (in Atlanta). We are glad to be helping these states.
For those who suspect, the featured image was created with AI (Adobe Firefly in this case). Readers of this blog will also recall that all links will open in a new browser tab.
Web Technology Updates
- Accessibility trends – we found this overview of 7 accessibility trends to watch in 2024 an interesting read. Web accessibility testing will become more automated with greater reliance on AI (Artificial Intelligence). Personalized accessibility solutions and more integration of voice technology also top the list. We encourage you to review the article to learn more about these trends.
- CSS – Chris Coyier created a bookmarkable guide to a list of recent enhancements to CSS. We like the overview of these along with notes about when you should care and what browsers support these capabilities now. Working examples (which allow you to also view the code) are highly useful and helpful. Emphasis is on container queries, the :has( ) pseudo selector, View transitions, anchor positioning, and much more. We encourage readers to review and reference his article.
- Frontend Trends – Diego Petrecolla provided a solid overview of frontend trends for early 2024. This includes a nice overview of BFF (Backend for the Frontend) patterns, PWA (Progressive Web Apps), JavaScript and more.
- Web Development Trends – We found this informative article useful as it combines an overview of where these technologies came from (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) along with where they are going (use of AI in web development, voice search optimization, Web Assembly, and cyber security measures). Definitely a lot to think about as we move into the second quarter of 2024.
- Web Design Trends – Christopher Lara reviews 24 web design trends (since it is 2024, after all). From scrolling animations to claymorphism to dark mode to frosted glass effects to voice activated interface, there is a lot to unpack in this article.
- Cybersecurity trends of 2024 – Vera Cooper (Splashtop) provides an overview of many cybersecurity trends which are emerging in 2024. AI and machine learning top her list. IoT is a close second. Phishing attacks, mobile security, and much more are discussed in her article as well.
These are some of the articles/ trends we are watching evolve in 2024. What additional trends do you see? Let us know in the comments. We always look forward to insights from our members.
