Wikipedia has experienced an 8% drop in user visits over the past year, as reported by Marshall Miller from the Wikimedia Foundation in his blog. The decline became noticeable after an update to the bot-detection system. Miller pointed out that much of the abnormal traffic in May and June came from bots designed to bypass restrictions.

The rise of generative artificial intelligence and changing search habits are significant factors contributing to this decline. Search engines are increasingly providing direct answers in the form of AI-generated summaries, reducing the need for users to visit websites. Additionally, younger internet users often seek information through short videos on social media platforms.

Despite these challenges, representatives from the Wikimedia Foundation emphasize that Wikipedia's role as a knowledge source remains vital, even if users are not visiting the site directly. However, there are risks involved, such as a potential decrease in volunteers who edit articles and reduced financial support from donors.

Wikipedia has previously tested its own AI-generated summaries but halted the project due to editorial criticism. The organization is currently developing a new content attribution system and forming teams to engage new readers. Miller highlighted the responsibility of companies using Wikipedia's materials to direct users back to the site.

It is crucial to support the integrity of informational content by referring to original sources, as the data utilized by AI systems is based on the efforts of real people who deserve recognition.

Recently, Penske Media Corporation filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging that the AI Review feature, which appears in search results, negatively impacts traffic to its websites. Google later denied that the AI summaries reduce search traffic.