Introduction to AI on Wikipedia
Generative AI is permeating the Internet, with chatbots and AI summaries popping up faster than we can keep track. Even Wikipedia, the vast repository of knowledge famously maintained by an army of volunteer human editors, is looking to add robots to the mix. The site began testing AI summaries in some articles over the past week, but the project has been frozen after editors voiced their opinions. And that opinion is: "yuck."
The Origins of AI Summaries on Wikipedia
The seeds of this project were planted at Wikimedia’s 2024 conference, where foundation representatives and editors discussed how AI could advance Wikipedia’s mission. The wiki on the so-called "Simple Article Summaries" notes that the editors who participated in the discussion believed the summaries could improve learning on Wikipedia.
The Pilot Program
According to 404 Media, Wikipedia announced the opt-in AI pilot on June 2, which was set to run for two weeks on the mobile version of the site. The summaries appeared at the top of select articles in a collapsed form. Users had to tap to expand and read the full summary. The AI text also included a highlighted "Unverified" badge.
Editor Backlash
Feedback from the larger community of editors was immediate and harsh. Some of the first comments were simply "yuck," with others calling the addition of AI a "ghastly idea" and "PR hype stunt." Others expounded on the issues with adding AI to Wikipedia, citing a potential loss of trust in the site. Editors work together to ensure articles are accurate, featuring verifiable information and a neutral point of view. However, nothing is certain when you put generative AI in the driver’s seat. "I feel like people seriously underestimate the brand risk this sort of thing has," said one editor. "Wikipedia’s brand is reliability, traceability of changes, and ‘anyone can fix it.’ AI is the opposite of these things."
Conclusion
The introduction of AI summaries on Wikipedia has been met with significant backlash from the editing community. The concerns about accuracy, reliability, and trust are valid, and it remains to be seen how this project will proceed. One thing is certain, however: the Wikipedia community is passionate about maintaining the integrity of the site, and any changes will need to be carefully considered.
FAQs
- Q: What is the purpose of introducing AI summaries on Wikipedia?
A: The purpose is to improve learning on Wikipedia, as discussed by editors at the Wikimedia 2024 conference. - Q: How did the editing community react to the introduction of AI summaries?
A: The reaction was immediate and harsh, with many editors expressing concerns about accuracy, reliability, and trust. - Q: What is the current status of the AI summary project?
A: The project has been frozen due to the backlash from the editing community. - Q: Can users still access the AI summaries on Wikipedia?
A: No, the project has been paused, and the AI summaries are no longer available. - Q: Will Wikipedia reconsider introducing AI summaries in the future?
A: It is possible, but any future introduction will need to address the concerns of the editing community.
