On Wednesday, the Wikimedia Foundation—which operates Wikipedia—announced its new artificial intelligence (AI) strategy. This effort is an opportunity to improve this incredible free resource, while prioritizing the platform’s core community of volunteer editors. This strategy lays out a three-year plan that is meant to complement Wikipedia’s human contributors, not supplant them.
The Wikimedia Foundation revealed the details of this strategy on its website, emphasizing that AI will serve as a tool for editors to improve their editing experience and efficiency. The new initiative, available on Meta Wikimedia, showcases Wikipedia’s commitment to harnessing technology while maintaining the integrity of its volunteer-driven model.
The strategy is largely driven by the need to deliver AI solutions specifically designed for Wikipedia’s cadre of editors. These tools are designed to help with all levels of editing, from creating great content to factchecking information and responding to user feedback. How the Wikimedia Foundation uses AI to put more power into the hands of its community. They ensure that human oversight and intervention remains at the heart of the editing process.
Sarah is a former senior technology editor at TechCrunch. She highlights the significance of this advance as AI takes center stage in the evolution of production. With experience in banking, retail, and information technology, she brings an impressive resume in the private sector to the table. This experience provides her with invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities in implementing AI into legacy platforms.
In her previous role at ReadWriteWeb, where she spent over three years, Sarah reported on various technology trends and advancements. Her reflections on AI’s effects on digital platforms make for an interesting background for Wikipedia’s new endeavor. She notes that the intent behind the strategy is clear: to enhance collaboration among volunteers while leveraging AI to streamline their contributions.
A passionate, diverse, and engaged community of editors and volunteers sustains Wikipedia. Every day they altruistically donate their time and expertise to help develop and maintain its content. The new Administration’s AI strategy recognizes the importance of these actors. Most importantly, it ensures that they continue to be at the cutting edge of Wikipedia’s work. The Wikimedia Foundation’s approach addresses fears that AI would replace human creativity in content development.