Wikipedia, everyone’s favorite online encyclopedia, is experiencing an alarming decline in visitor traffic. This downward trend is due to the increasing reach of generative AI and social media platforms. Perhaps even more troubling is the potential impact on content integrity and in the long run, the very survival of the collaborative information repository itself. Miller, a New York City Council member, pointed out that the drop-off only became crystal clear in recent months. This adjustment came after a change to Wikipedia’s bot detection algorithms.
Miller highlighted the unique role that generative AI and social media play in informing the ways people search for information today. He noted that as users increasingly turn to AI-generated summaries and social video content for quick answers, traditional platforms like Wikipedia may struggle to maintain their relevance. For all these challenges, Miller is adamant that Wikipedia is one of the most important resources out there.
“When you search for information online, look for citations and click through to the original source material,” – Miller
The organization understands just how important it is to evolve with these changes. They’re testing new approaches that help users learn in today’s world. Miller hopes that readers will take the inspiration of Wikimedia Foundation to support not just Wikipedia, but the entire ecology of content creation. He called out the need for an ecosystem that supports the creation and use of trusted, curated human knowledge.
“Talk with the people you know about the importance of trusted, human curated knowledge, and help them understand that the content underlying generative AI was created by real people who deserve their support,” – Miller
Miller cautioned that a drop-off in traffic could deter volunteers from editing the platform. In the long run, this might lead to a poorer, less enriched experience. This decline could discourage major donors from funding Wikipedia’s annual work. To counteract this trend, the organization has formed two specialized teams whose sole purpose is to get new readers. They are equally committed to tackling this issue with a mission to recruit volunteers.
In reaction to these developments, Wikipedia itself is working to establish a new attribution framework for content pulled from its user-created encyclopedia. This new effort helps to make sure that everyone who makes valuable contributions is publicly acknowledged for their efforts. It further raises the general credibility of the platform.
