Wikipedia had to overcome challenges to prove its credibility and is now encountering a new significant risk posed by generative AI technology.

Ian Ramjohn recalls his initial experience editing Wikipedia in 2004, when the platform was relatively young. He swiftly updated outdated information about the Trinidad and Tobago government, which sparked his interest in contributing further.

Ramjohn, an ecologist affiliated with Wiki Education, has been a devoted Wikipedian for over a decade. He witnessed Wikipedia’s evolution from a platform primarily focused on niche topics to becoming the go-to source for a wide range of subjects, including science.

Despite its significant growth since its inception in 2001, Wikipedia has experienced a decline in user traffic. Factors such as artificial intelligence-powered searches have been identified as contributing to this decrease in engagement with the platform. The integrity of Wikipedia’s content, supported by citations and editing protocols, was shaped through debates among editors on contentious topics like evolution and climate change.

While Wikipedia has strived to enhance its reliability over the years, skepticism about its accuracy persisted among educators. However, studies have demonstrated the platform’s accuracy comparable to traditional encyclopedias. Some instructors have even integrated Wikipedia editing into their teaching curriculum to encourage critical thinking and fact-checking skills among students.

As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on Wikipedia’s relevance and user engagement. The absence of public edit histories for AI-generated texts raises questions about accountability and transparency compared to Wikipedia’s robust editing framework.

Supporters of Wikipedia express apprehension that generative AI technologies could divert attention and traffic away from the platform, leading to fewer new contributors and slower error corrections. The self-correcting nature of Wikipedia may be compromised if visitor numbers continue to dwindle amidst the influx of AI-generated content.