adOct 20, 2026, 17:56

Wikipedia concerned about AI in search engines: fewer visitors and higher risk of disinformation

Wikipedia is reporting a significant drop in website traffic following the introduction of AI-powered search summaries, raising concerns about a potential decline in future volunteers and donations. Experts and officials also warn that these AI tools risk spreading misinformation and reducing the reach of reliable sources like official government websites.

Wikipedia is expressing concern over the rising use of AI search summaries, which provide users with direct answers and reduce the number of clicks to external websites. Since Google implemented its AI-driven search feature in May 2026, Wikipedia has seen an 8 percent decline in traffic. Wikimedia Netherlands director Cristina Anca Fodor warns that lower visibility may lead to fewer volunteers and donations, as visitors are less likely to notice errors or feel motivated to contribute content. Furthermore, there are significant concerns regarding the reliability of information generated by AI, which can present inaccuracies as facts.

Beyond Wikipedia, other institutions are facing similar challenges. Data shows a 15 percent drop in visits to the Dutch government website rijksoverheid.nl in 2025, a trend that appears to be continuing. Experts worry that AI-generated summaries limit government control over how information is presented, potentially spreading outdated or incorrect data regarding laws and regulations. Despite these risks, Wikimedia remains committed to keeping its information freely accessible for both people and AI training.

Economy Business Technology Netherlands

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Based on reporting by ad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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