Wikipedia Sounds Alarm: 'AI Chatbots And Search Killing Our Traffic'

One of the most popular online encyclopedias that everyone knows as Wikipedia is facing a big crisis thanks to the AI boom. The company behind the platform claims AI chatbots as well as AI summaries available on the internet are pushing more people away from Wikipedia and its effects are now showing a slowdown in its overall traffic. 

That’s not all, it has been observed that bots in human disguise have also become a major traffic source for the platform which means all the content is being filtered across through the AI search versions. Wikipedia has been the source of information for billions over the years and it seems to be the latest victim of the AI push across the web. 

AI Search The New Information Hub 

Wikimedia, the creators of Wikipedia

claim to have noticed the traffic uptick in Brazil earlier this year, where human and bots traffic was easy to differentiate. These bots, according to the company, were designed to bypass the screening and it seems they have managed to do a good job. Google and other web platforms now offer AI-powered search and summaries.

These are sourced through different sites and presented in a crunch and readable format on the main screen. Wikipedia is seeing its usage drop in favour of the AI search models, where you don’t need to click on links to read a story or document anymore. 

Wikipedia is the latest entity to share its concerns about AI search platforms. When Google introduces AI mode into mobile and web devices, you know something big is brewing. And even media companies have been irked about the data being sourced through their channels and only given a source link which people don’t even need to click for a redirect to the original page anymore. 

The less people rely on Wikipedia, the chances of more donors coming to build the platform reduces and they are hoping to find the balance between using AI and keeping its original content intact. 

Making The Changes 

Wikipedia is not averse to these changing trends but is ready to overhaul its policies so that its content is used responsibly. Besides that, Wikipedia will offer its content via social media platforms to have the youth engaged with the platform and also allow them to monetise the business through a wider reach.