In recent years, the rapid ascent of artificial intelligence (AI) has resulted in an insatiable demand for data to train large language models. This demand has increasingly placed a spotlight on Wikipedia, the world’s largest repository of human knowledge.
Created and maintained by volunteers, Wikipedia is freely accessible, making it a prime target for AI developers. However, the surge in AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Google AI Overview, has created a disconnect between the sources of information and how it is consumed. This disconnect raises concerns among Wikipedia's leadership about the potential erosion of volunteer engagement, which is critical for maintaining the quality and reliability of the encyclopedia.
Data from Similarweb indicates a decline in traffic to Wikipedia over recent years, although this claim has been met with skepticism from the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit organization that oversees the platform. While Similarweb's metrics provide a consistent methodology, discrepancies can arise when comparing external analytics to internal metrics. For a platform that relies on volunteers and donations rather than advertising revenue, a decline in traffic could pose a significant threat to its sustainability.
Experts within the Wikimedia Foundation have shared insights into how the rise of generative AI might impact Wikipedia's future. The foundation’s analytics indicate that Wikipedia continues to attract around 15 billion page views monthly, a figure that has remained stable since October 2020. The number of unique devices accessing Wikipedia also hovers between 1.5 billion and 2 billion monthly, suggesting that the platform still holds significant appeal as a trusted information source.
Despite the increasing popularity of generative AI tools, experts report no significant drop in Wikipedia traffic that can be directly attributed to these technologies. They argue that the current AI landscape presents an opportunity to enhance the work of the global volunteer community dedicated to curating reliable content on the platform. By leveraging AI, Wikipedia could potentially make knowledge more accessible and available in multiple languages at a pace that human editors alone could not achieve.
Nevertheless, concerns linger about the potential negative repercussions of AI on human motivation. If users increasingly consume information through AI tools without visiting Wikipedia, they may be less inclined to contribute to the platform. This scenario poses a risk of losing a generation of volunteers, who are essential for the continuous growth and quality of Wikipedia's content. Furthermore, the lack of clear attribution in AI-generated content could lead to the spread of misinformation, complicating the distinction between accurate information and fabricated narratives.
The foundation emphasizes the importance of recognizing human contributions to Wikipedia. Clear attribution is vital, as it not only honors the work of volunteers but also encourages users to engage with the platform. When users visit Wikipedia directly, they are more likely to understand how to contribute, whether through editing or donations. This cycle of participation is crucial for sustaining the encyclopedia's mission.
Despite the looming concerns, experts have not observed any significant decline in volunteer motivation linked to recent developments in AI. The Wikimedia Foundation remains optimistic about the potential for AI to support rather than replace human efforts. The foundation has long maintained that AI should augment the work of human editors, allowing them to focus on complex tasks that require nuanced judgment.
Wikimedia has a history of integrating AI and machine learning tools into its operations. Since 2002, volunteers have utilized these technologies to streamline time-consuming tasks. For instance, specialized bots assist in identifying and reverting erroneous edits, ensuring the integrity of the content. The foundation has established guidelines for the responsible use of AI tools, ensuring that human oversight remains a priority.
Looking ahead, the Wikimedia Foundation is committed to developing a new generation of AI models designed to enhance the capacity of volunteers. This initiative includes collaborations with volunteers to create features that improve editing efficiency and algorithms that assess article quality. The ongoing evolution of these technologies aims to bolster the editorial standards and overall reliability of Wikipedia.
The foundation has also launched Wikimedia Enterprise, a paid product aimed at commercial entities that wish to leverage Wikipedia content at scale. This initiative represents a significant shift in how the foundation approaches partnerships with for-profit organizations. By providing a paid service, Wikimedia can better align its offerings with the business needs of commercial users while ensuring that Wikipedia remains financially sustainable.
Wikimedia Enterprise generated approximately $3.2 million in revenue for the fiscal year 2022-23, constituting 1.8% of the foundation's total revenue. While Google was the first for-profit customer, the foundation has since attracted other commercial clients, indicating a growing interest in responsibly utilizing Wikipedia's vast repository of knowledge.
As the landscape of information consumption evolves, the Wikimedia Foundation is exploring pathways to engage future audiences, including those who rely on generative AI platforms. By conducting time-bound experiments, the foundation aims to understand how to maintain and grow human-created knowledge in this new environment.
Experts assert that the advent of generative AI, while presenting challenges, also offers opportunities for Wikipedia. The platform's commitment to free knowledge remains unwavering. It encourages AI companies to utilize Wikimedia's resources responsibly, emphasizing the need for recognition and reciprocity for the human contributions that underpin these technologies.
The intersection of AI and Wikipedia is a complex landscape filled with both challenges and opportunities. As AI continues to reshape how information is accessed and consumed, the Wikimedia Foundation is determined to ensure that the contributions of its volunteers remain central to its mission. By fostering a culture of attribution and encouraging responsible use of its content, Wikipedia aims to adapt to the changing information landscape while preserving the integrity of the knowledge it offers to the world.