Wikipedia has recently updated its guidelines, prohibiting editors from using artificial intelligence to compose or rephrase articles. This significant change, introduced late last week, stipulates that AI tools are now restricted to only basic copy editing or translations. The primary rationale for this ban stems from the observation that AI-written content frequently contravenes "several of Wikipedia’s core content policies."
This revised directive specifically impacts the English version of Wikipedia. However, it does permit AI usage under certain conditions. Editors may employ large language models to "suggest basic copyedits" for their contributions, provided the AI "does not introduce content of its own." Furthermore, AI tools can be utilized for translating articles from another language’s Wikipedia into English. Crucially, editors must adhere to the platform's rules for LLM-assisted translations, which mandate sufficient proficiency in the source language to verify the translation's accuracy.
The new policy also acknowledges that some individuals might exhibit writing styles akin to those of large language models. Consequently, editors are cautioned against relying solely on "stylistic or linguistic signs" when evaluating potential restrictions on editing privileges. For such assessments, the guidelines advise that "it is best to consider the text’s compliance with core content policies and recent edits by the editor in question."
For several months, Wikipedia's editorial community has been actively addressing the proliferation of AI-generated articles. This ongoing challenge prompted the implementation of a new policy facilitating the "speedy deletion" of subpar contributions. Additionally, editors established WikiProject AI Cleanup, a dedicated initiative designed to counter AI-written content and assist others in its identification.
This latest modification to Wikipedia’s guidelines was initially proposed by editor Chaotic Enby, triggering an extensive dialogue among the community. The proposal ultimately garnered "overwhelming support," with consensus that the policy "targets blatantly problematic issues with LLM use, while still giving leeway for what are seen as decent uses for it."
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