Wikipedia Blocks Direct AI Editing Over Hallucination Concerns
Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales has stated that the online encyclopedia will not permit artificial intelligence to directly edit articles, citing ongoing risks of inaccurate information generated by AI systems. Speaking to AFP on the sidelines of a climate action week event in London, Wales emphasized that while newer AI models have reduced the problem of so-called 'hallucinations'—where false information is presented as fact—the issue remains significant.
'The problem of AI hallucinations is still very, very bad,' Wales said. Consequently, he confirmed that Wikipedia would not allow AI systems to make direct edits to articles. 'We would not let it edit directly because you can’t really trust it enough,' he added.
AI as a Supporting Tool for Volunteer Editors
Despite the restriction on direct editing, Wales noted that AI could still play a supportive role by helping Wikipedia’s community of volunteer editors identify niche news stories and developments that might otherwise go unnoticed. This approach allows Wikipedia to leverage AI’s capabilities while maintaining editorial integrity.
Wales also highlighted the growing interdependence between artificial intelligence companies and Wikipedia. Many AI platforms rely heavily on Wikipedia’s content to answer users’ questions, and traffic from AI bots accessing the site has increased significantly. However, visits from human users have declined by about eight percent, a trend Wales described as 'meaningful' but 'not a disaster.'
Wikipedia’s Resilience and Financial Sustainability
Wales pointed out that Wikipedia remains one of the ten most-visited websites globally and is less vulnerable to traffic fluctuations because it operates primarily through user donations rather than advertising revenue. This model provides a buffer against the decline in human traffic.
He also called on AI companies to contribute financially to support the infrastructure they depend on. 'We encourage them to pay their fair share because hammering us with millions of requests costs real money,' Wales said. He added that Wikipedia, through the Wikimedia Foundation, has already reached agreements with several major technology companies regarding the use of its content and server resources. 'We’re starting to block the ones who aren’t behaving themselves, but we’ll see how that goes,' he concluded.
