Wikipedia is urging AI companies to use its official paid API instead of scraping its content without permission, aiming to protect the platform’s future as AI use grows.
The Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia, published a blog post urging AI developers to access content responsibly via its Wikimedia Enterprise platform. This subscription service provides large-scale access while reducing server strain and supports the organisation’s non-profit mission.
The foundation has seen an 8% drop in human page views year-on-year and identified traffic spikes in mid-2025 caused by AI bots scraping the site while evading detection. While legal action against scraping is not currently threatened, Wikimedia has upgraded its bot-detection systems.
It emphasises the need for AI developers to credit Wikipedia’s volunteer contributors properly.
“For people to trust information shared on the internet, platforms should make it clear where the information is sourced from and elevate opportunities to visit and participate in those sources,” the foundation said.
Earlier this year, Wikimedia introduced an AI strategy focused on using AI to support its editors with routine tasks, not to replace them.