In an exclusive interview with Axios, Maryana Iskander, the outgoing Wikipedia leader, shared her perspective on AI's impact on the online encyclopedia. Contrary to earlier fears that generative AI might undermine Wikipedia’s relevance or quality, Iskander revealed that AI has actually strengthened the platform, challenging the notion that Wikipedia could be a casualty of AI growth. She explained that Wikipedia has adapted by viewing AI advancements as opportunities rather than threats in the rapidly changing technological landscape. Iskander emphasized that Wikipedia’s community-driven model, supported by its nonprofit structure, has allowed it to withstand and benefit from increased AI-generated content and greater public engagement. The platform’s commitment to transparency and accuracy has reinforced public trust, maintaining its authority even amid a surge of AI tools that might otherwise dilute information quality. However, Iskander acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly rising malicious attacks—ranging from deliberate misinformation to vandalism—that threaten content integrity. To combat this, she proposed a new safeguard called the “Wikipedia Test, ” a mechanism to critically evaluate proposed edits to ensure they genuinely improve accuracy and comprehensiveness before acceptance. This approach aims to safeguard Wikipedia’s trusted quality by verifying each contribution’s authenticity and validity. She also highlighted the growing role of AI-driven validation tools alongside human editors and nonprofit organizations in curating content.

Collaborative efforts between humans and AI are vital to enhance Wikipedia’s resilience against misinformation and keep articles updated in a fast-evolving information environment. Looking ahead, Iskander expressed optimism that AI could improve user experience and editorial processes by facilitating better content moderation, addressing systemic biases, and expanding coverage of underrepresented topics. Nevertheless, she stressed the necessity of careful oversight and continued community involvement to avoid overreliance on automation, which could lead to errors or unintended effects. Iskander’s reflections come as Wikipedia navigates the intersection of human knowledge curation and machine learning advances. Her tenure focused on fostering inclusivity, upgrading technical infrastructure, and deepening partnerships with educational and research institutions. As she prepares to step down, her insights offer valuable guidance for Wikipedia’s future in an AI-influenced era. In summary, rather than diminishing Wikipedia’s role, AI has thus far reinforced its status as a trusted, dynamic knowledge repository. Iskander’s interview highlights Wikipedia’s adaptation to new technological realities and underscores the need for innovation balanced with rigorous standards. The proposed “Wikipedia Test, ” alongside AI-assisted moderation improvements, presents a forward-looking strategy to protect the encyclopedia’s reliability while embracing emerging technological opportunities.