Wikipedia prohibits AI-generated content, with only two exceptions

for 25 years, Wikipedia It was an open source online encyclopedia where anyone could contribute knowledge, as long as it was based on reliable and verifiable sources. But as AI tools quickly reshape how content is created, the platform draws a hard line: You can’t use it Artificial intelligence tools To create or rewrite Wikipedia content.

“Text generated by large language models (LLMs) often violates several of Wikipedia’s core content policies,” Read Wikipedia’s editorial policy. “For this reason, the use of LLMs to create or rewrite article content is prohibited, except for the exceptions listed below.

Wikipedia cites ChatGPT and Google Gemini As examples in the footnote.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that it infringed Ziff Davis’s copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)

It is unclear when the policy took effect. A Wikipedia representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Wikipedia exceptions to the use of artificial intelligence

Wikipedia lists some exceptions for editors and when translating articles.

Wikipedia says that editors can use artificial intelligence to make things Edits to the main articlesuch as typos and formatting errors, for articles written after a volunteer Wikipedia reviewer or administrator reviewed the article.

However, even if you use AI to edit, Wikipedia urges caution because AI can change the meaning of some content, which may not be accurate or consistent with the intent of the source.

Wikipedia allows you to use artificial intelligence to translate articles from Wikipedia in another language into English. However, translation must continue Wikipedia policiesThe translator must be proficient in both English and the language of the original article to ensure accuracy.

Implementation is unclear

It is not surprising that Wikipedia added this language to its policy, considering that it is an open source project and the AI ​​is prone to errors and plagiarism.

last year, I asked the Wikimedia Foundation That AI companies stop extracting data from Wikipedia and using its API, which will allow them to “use Wikipedia content widely and sustainably without severely taxing Wikipedia’s servers, while also enabling them to support our non-profit mission.”

There is no mention of how the rules will be enforced or how users will be disciplined if they use AI in violation of the rules.

Wikipedia’s policy comes at a time when artificial intelligence is becoming part of our daily lives. Apple intelligence and Galaxy artificial intelligence Now available on smartphones, there are AI features built into the apps, websites, and services we use regularly. However, there are growing concerns about the accuracy of AI and the risk of hallucinations.

Wikipedia’s decision appears to reflect a broader tension online: balancing the speed and ease of AI-generated content with the need for human judgment and accurate, verifiable knowledge.