Wikipedia has announced a new strategy for integrating artificial intelligence into its online encyclopedia, but with a clear caveat — AI will not replace human editors. Instead, it will assist them in handling routine and technical tasks.
Despite the growing popularity of AI technologies, Wikipedia has no intention of substituting its editors and volunteers. According to TechCrunch, which cited an official statement from the organization, the platform plans to use neural networks to lower technical barriers. This move is intended to allow contributors to focus more on content creation and less on the complexities of implementation.
Unlike many companies that consider AI a potential threat to jobs, Wikipedia views it as a supportive tool, notes NIX Solutions. Neural networks are expected to take over tasks such as translation, moderation, and information retrieval. This shift is designed to free up editors’ time, allowing them to engage more in discussions and the verification of data — a crucial part of the consensus-based model that Wikipedia relies on.
Human-Centered, Transparent Approach
“We believe that the success of our work with AI depends not only on what we do, but also on how we do it,” wrote Chris Albon, director of machine learning at the Wikimedia Foundation. He emphasized that transparency, open-source principles, and the protection of human rights will guide Wikipedia’s use of AI, ensuring that it remains under human control.
Albon also addressed the challenges that come with generative AI, including its tendency to make errors or “hallucinate.” This, he stated, makes Wikipedia’s role as a reliable source of information even more important. “We will use AI in a measured way, maintaining a multilingual and human-centered approach,” he added.
As the platform continues to evolve, these developments are expected to enhance the experience for contributors without compromising editorial integrity. Yet we’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available.