According to a report by The Verge tonight, Wikipedia has announced updated rules, explicitly prohibiting editors from using AI to directly write or rewrite entries. This policy was added to the editorial guidelines last week because AI-generated content frequently violates the platform’s core content guidelines.
This restriction currently only applies to the English version of Wikipedia, but it doesn’t completely ban AI tools. Editors can still use large language models for basic polishing, such as refining wording or grammar, but they cannot add any new content. AI can also be used for cross-language translation, but editors must have proficiency in the original language to ensure accuracy.
The new regulations also specifically state that writing style alone cannot determine whether content was generated by AI, as some editors’ writing styles may themselves resemble AI models. Whether to restrict editing privileges should be based on whether the content complies with core policies and the editorial actions taken.
Previously, the Wikipedia community had been battling AI-generated content for months. The platform not only introduced a mechanism for quickly deleting low-quality entries but also established the “WikiProject AI Cleanup” project to identify and clean up AI-generated content.
According to reports, this policy was proposed by user Chaotic Enby and underwent lengthy discussions within the community before being passed with overwhelming support. The community believes that the rule primarily addresses the most obvious problems in the use of AI models, while still leaving some room for reasonable use.
