Wikimedia Futures Lab/Summary of regional workshops 2025

Wikimedia Futures Lab Workshops 2025

Below you will find a summary of the several conversations hosted at Wikimedia events in 2025. In these conversations participants were asked to share about the global trends they see in their local contexts, as well as potential responses for Wikimedia. Small groups were organized around three topics:

1. Knowledge Consumption - How do people search and find knowledge online?
2. Knowledge Contribution - How do people share knowledge online?
3. Knowledge Ecosystem - How is the environement in which knowledge is regulated and distributed changing?

Go on the main event page to for more information the Wikimedia Futures Lab.

Summary

1. Knowledge Consumption

1/ Shift in habits and platforms

• Younger generations consume knowledge through chatbots, short-form video (TikTok, YouTube), and AI summaries rather than traditional reading.
• Video and podcasts are now preferred formats (visual and auditory learning over textual).
• AI-powered discovery is replacing search engines; people “discover” content via feeds rather than searches. ChatGPT and similar tools often act as the interface to Wikimedia knowledge.
• People see AI as “tools,” but institutions (e.g., schools) still resist them - echoing the early resistance to Wikipedia.

2/ Filter bubbles and polarization

• Information discovery is now driven by opaque recommendation systems, optimizing for engagement rather than accuracy.
• Trust is shifting: users rely more on personalities and “friendly” influencers than on institutions.
• Critical thinking skills are weakening; there is limited public literacy to discern real from fake.

Concerns

• Information reliability: Short videos and AI outputs can spread misinformation or hallucinations.
• Attribution: There is concern over AI summarizing or scraping Wikimedia content without attribution.
• Shifts in learning: Short attention spans and instant gratification expectations reduce deep learning.

Possible responses

• Partnerships: Collaborate with content platforms (e.g., TikTok, ChatGPT) to ensure visibility and attribution.
• Multimedia integration: Experiment with video and AI-enhanced summaries within Wikimedia itself.
• Digital literacy: Equip younger users with critical thinking and source evaluation skills.

2. Knowledge Contribution

Emerging Trends

1/ Shifts in contribution spaces and expectations

• From wikis to social media and gaming platforms : Younger contributors now “edit” knowledge through TikTok videos, podcasts, Instagram posts, Reddit, and gaming platforms.
• Contributions are informal, fast, and emotionally engaging. Platforms like Wikimedia feel “too serious” or “too rule-heavy”.

Barriers within Wikimedia

• Fewer newcomers; the system feels intimidating and rule-bound.
• Community culture: dominated by old guards; discussions can stall or feel unwelcoming.
• Talk pages and wiki discussions have declined; conversations moved to Discord, Telegram, or off-wiki channels.
• Sense of belonging is eroding; newcomers often leave after negative experiences.

Concerns

• Larger languages have more tools and visibility; smaller communities struggle.
• Human translation needed for smaller projects - machine translation is a threat to language preservation

Possible responses

• Show more recognition: Most good edits receive no feedback; reversions are more visible than gratitude. Celebrate “good edits” with positive reinforcement
• Gamification of the editing experience: “Duolingo-style” editing reminders and goals
• AI-assisted editing: autocomplete, source validation, translation support.
• Improve editing experience: focus on mobile editing and media uploads
• Foster stronger community ties: More offline and in-person events. Wikipedia is also a social space, not just an information platform.
• Explore hybrid models: volunteer plus supported contribution. Volunteer energy is declining; we need to propose incentives or even monetary rewards.

3. Knowledge Ecosystem / Infrastructure

1/ Centralization and concentration

• Knowledge infrastructure is dominated by a few large tech companies.
• Decline of pluralism: fewer independent servers and open infrastructures.
• AI, search, and social platforms control access and prioritization of information.
• Extractive use of open data threatens the sustainability of commons-based projects.

2/ More protection needed for contributors

• EU regulations (GDPR, DSA, AI Act) have unintended consequences for NGOs and open projects.
• Contributors face doxxing and harassment, especially around political content.
• Regional internet “blocks” (e.g., Russia) and politicized digital ecosystems increase polarization and disinformation.

Possible responses

• More coalitions and alliances: Build partnerships with Creative Commons, OpenStreetMap, journalists, researchers, governments, and NGOs.
• Advocacy: Engage policymakers to ensure Wikipedia’s model is considered in regulation. Advocate for attribution, open data ethics, and platform accountability.
• Security and safety: Invest in cybersecurity and contributor protection.
• Be the alternative: The Wikimedia movement can model a nonprofit, noncommercial, collaborative infrastructure for knowledge.