A number of research challenges and questions must be resolved before a new generation of interacting social machines can be created and evolved this way: What are the fundamental theoretical properties of social machines, and what kinds of algorithms are needed to create them?;

What underlying architectural principles are needed to guide the design and efficient engineering of new Web infrastructure components for this social software?;

How can we extend the current Web infrastructure to provide mechanisms that make the social properties of information-sharing explicit and guarantee that the use of this information conforms to relevant social-policy expectations?; and

How do cultural differences affect the development and use of social mechanisms on the Web?

As the Web is indeed worldwide, the properties desired by one culture may be seen as counterproductive by others. Can Web infrastructure help bridge cultural divides and/or increase cross-cultural understanding?