Modern day Einsteins ponder the role of the web

Some of the world's greatest minds have put their full weight behind the future of the internet, as well as giving some hints as to what they expect to see by 2020.

Princeton Research asked Nobel Prize winners for their views on how the internet will promote the development of education and the wellbeing of citizens over the next 20 years.

More than 80 per cent of respondents said the internet will accelerate innovation and advance scientific knowledge. Almost all those questioned believe the internet will have a major impact on education 71 per cent believe students will be learning through virtual classrooms by 2020.

Online access to the entire human genome is just one example of this. In the future, this amazing feat will be eclipsed by much larger and even more impressive projects.

Almost three quarters of those questioned believe the internet will have a significant impact on improving living standards around the world and 85 per cent said the internet has already had a positive effect on their work and lives.

The research was commissioned by Cisco as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the Nobel Prizes. The median age of those questioned was 72 and almost 90 per cent of these now use the internet and email.

See the full survey results here http://www.cisco.com/nobel