Wikipedia Founder: AI Can't Replicate Human Vetting

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales has expressed confidence in the enduring value of human-curated knowledge, dismissing concerns about AI-generated content potentially undermining the free online encyclopedia. He stated that Wikipedia's rigorous human-vetting process cannot be replicated by current AI technologies.

Wales pointed to the persistent issue of "hallucinations" in large language models like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. These models frequently produce erroneous or misleading information, a problem that intensifies with more obscure topics. He described AI encyclopedias like Elon Musk's Grokipedia as "cartoon imitations."

The founder highlighted that Wikipedia benefits from "obsessive" volunteers and subject-matter experts who contribute crucial context and accuracy. This human element ensures a depth of understanding and reader focus that AI currently lacks. A 2025 OpenAI study indicated that even advanced models still exhibit high hallucination rates, underscoring the challenges AI faces in producing reliable, nuanced information.