Wikipedia wants AI to stop mooching (and maybe pay up a little)

On November 11, 2025, Wikipedia called on AI companies, including OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, to stop utilizing its extensive data without providing compensation. This request underscores a critical issue in the AI landscape, where companies are increasingly relying on Wikipedia's vast repository of information, often referred to as a 'data firehose.' The implications of this demand are profound, as they touch on ethical considerations surrounding data usage and the operational sustainability of platforms that rely on community contributions. As AI technologies continue to evolve, the relationship between these companies and knowledge-sharing platforms like Wikipedia will be crucial in shaping future policies on data access and compensation, ensuring that the contributions of volunteers are respected and preserved.