Wikipedia sounds alarm as AI reduces reliance on primary sources

The Wikipedia Foundation, the nonprofit organisation responsible for managing the world’s largest online encyclopedia, has warned that the rise of artificial intelligence technologies — particularly AI systems that integrate query results directly into search engines — is significantly reducing the number of page views by human users.

Representatives of Wikipedia told 3DNews that this trend could endanger the encyclopedia’s long-term viability.

"If the number of visitors to Wikipedia declines, fewer people will be willing to contribute to and expand content, and fewer individual donors will be able to support this work," they said.

The platform’s materials are crucial to the training of large language models, making Wikipedia an important resource for AI development. Search engines and social networks also prioritise content from Wikipedia due to its established trustworthiness among users.

In May, Wikipedia faced a surge in traffic that appeared to come from genuine users in Brazil. The incident prompted improvements to the platform’s anti-bot systems. Since then, page views from real users have continued to decline, dropping 8% compared with the previous year.

The foundation attributes this decline to a shift in how people access information. Chatbots and AI integrated into search engines reduce the need for users to consult primary sources directly. Wikipedia’s internal policies also limit automated access by external bots. The combination of bot protections and AI-generated responses has resulted in fewer human visitors, while sophisticated bots increasingly imitate human behaviour.

Experts note that AI’s integration into online search has generally reduced reliance on primary sources. An analysis of Google search activity this summer showed that only 1% of queries led users to the original source, with the remaining 99% satisfied by AI-generated summaries. Younger audiences, in particular, are accustomed to accessing information entirely within social networks rather than navigating the broader web.

Wikipedia is also concerned about the growing use of AI to produce encyclopedic articles, which could compromise content reliability. Increased activity from automated information-gathering bots places additional strain on the platform’s technical infrastructure. In response, Wikipedia is focusing on better integration with social media and adapting to new information consumption habits, rather than attempting to revert to past practices through restrictions or bans.

Marshall Miller, Senior Director of Products at the Wikipedia Foundation, urged users to remain vigilant:

"When you search for information online, pay attention to citations and follow links to source materials. Talk to your friends about the importance of creating a trusted, human-curated knowledge base, and help them understand that the content underlying AI was created by real people who deserve your support."

By Tamilla Hasanova