NO AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN CHANGE OUR MISSION

Jimmy Wales could have been a billionaire. Few people in history have had so certain a shot at that status and decided against taking it. But Wales had another target in sight and he took the shot, with a fair amount of accuracy. Wikipedia, which he co-founded 25 years ago, is one of the most visited websites in the world, with millions of people relying on it as a primary source of information. And he remains steadfast to its mission—to provide free, accurate knowledge to anyone, anywhere.

- MAIJO ABRAHAM

It has not been easy. And it has become tougher of late, thanks to misinformation campaigns, biased reporting and the rise of social media. What is at stake are not just facts but also the idea of trust. That might be the reason Wales is exploring the theme in his new book, The Seven Rules of Trust.

In an interview with THE WEEK, he discusses how Wikipedia ensures the health of its community, the tools needed to manage misinformation, and the vital role volunteers play in keeping Wikipedia neutral and reliable. He also reflects on the role of artificial intelligence, and how emerging technologies could be harnessed to support the community while maintaining the platform's core values. Excerpts:

Q Many people trust Wikipedia, despite knowing that it can be edited by anyone. How do you explain this paradox?

I think the trust people have in Wikipedia comes from long-term experience of using it. Even though people may not fully understand how it works, they can see the results. You go to almost any topic in the world, no matter how obscure, and there is this great information available, with sources you can click through and check. One of the ways we have built trust, despite the obvious imperfections, is through Wikipedia's transparency. You can see the sources and the material, read the debates, and review all past versions of the pages. But, of course, in order to continue earning that trust, we need to maintain our efforts and ensure that the quality of the content remains as high as possible.

Q One important theme in your new book was the idea of trust repair. What has been the most significant trust repair moment in Wikipedia's history, and what did you learn from it?