Wikipedia, the world’s largest online encyclopaedia, marked its 25th anniversary today. Closing a chapter that has reshaped how people access information online. Launched in 2001, the free platform now reaches billions of users and sits at the centre of the global information ecosystem.
To mark the milestone, the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that runs Wikipedia, has rolled out a global “Wikipedia 25” campaign. The initiative looks back at how the platform has evolved, while also asking what trusted knowledge should look like in an era shaped by artificial intelligence, misinformation, and declining trust online.
“Wikipedia is a digital wonder of the world,” said Wikimedia Foundation CEO Maryana Iskander. She noted that the site’s resilience comes from the people behind it, not technology alone. Today, Wikipedia hosts about 65 million articles, written and maintained by nearly 250,000 volunteer editors around the world.
Wikipedia as the Backbone of AI-driven Knowledge
A central feature of the anniversary is a new video docuseries that follows the lives of eight volunteer editors. Among them is Goodness Ignatius from Nigeria, a librarian who contributes to Wikipedia and related platforms in both English and Igbo. Her work highlights Africa’s growing role in shaping global digital knowledge, especially through local languages and community-led projects.
The Foundation has also launched a “25 Years of Wikipedia” digital time capsule. It revisits major moments in the platform’s history, from its early technical struggles to traffic spikes during global news events. Lighter moments are included too, reflecting Wikipedia’s mix of serious reference and internet culture.
Looking ahead, Wikipedia’s role is expanding as AI tools increasingly rely on its content. The site is one of the most used datasets for training large language models, making its standards and neutrality more important than ever. In response, the Foundation says its AI strategy will focus on supporting human editors, not replacing them.
After 25 years, Wikipedia’s core idea remains unchanged: reliable knowledge still depends on people.
