7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the first layer comprises a knowledge management system (KMS) layer, wherein the application further includes a semantic layer and a collaboration layer, wherein the semantic layer includes an Artificial Intelligence (AI) engine configured to programmatically interact with one or more individuals via instant messaging to request and receive input characterizing the skill level of the first individual in the specified skill, wherein the semantic layer further includes an interface implemented as a plug-in to an instant messaging application; wherein the query is reformulated by the AI engine, wherein the first query is received by the semantic layer.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 , wherein the first individual is identified by the KMS layer, wherein the second individual belongs to a social network, wherein the social network includes a third individual, wherein the refined characterization is determined based further on at least one of: (i) a third characterization of the skill level of the first individual in the specified skill, wherein the third characterization is provided by the third individual and confirms the second characterization of the skill level of the first individual and (ii) the third characterization being different from the first characterization and the second characterization, wherein the first individual is selected from a set of individuals identified to be part of a predetermined organization, wherein the data store comprises a database; wherein the second characterization from the second individual is requested and received by the collaboration layer, wherein the computer-implemented method further comprises, by the semantic layer: receiving, from the requesting entity, input responsive to prompting the requesting entity to verify that the reformulated query is a correct representation of the first query; upon determining that the input received from the requesting entity indicates that the reformulated query is a correct representation of the first query, submitting the reformulated query to the KMS for refinement.