Wikipedia's future: can it survive amid growing pressures?

As Wikipedia marks its 25th anniversary, volunteers and the Wikimedia Foundation are managing heated disputes over neutrality, legal and regulatory pressures, and changing use driven in part by AI and rival platforms.

Wikipedia is facing a moment of scrutiny as it turns 25. The site remains one of the most visited online resources, but the article reports tensions at community events and rising public disputes over how contentious topics are presented. The project was born as an open, volunteer-edited encyclopedia after an earlier, expert-driven effort proved slow. Its governing norms, especially a neutral point of view, now face tests from legal demands, political scrutiny and changing technology. Key facts: - The article reports a disturbance at WikiCon North America in New York, where an attendee threatened Wikimedia CEO Maryana Iskander; organisers subdued the person and police attended, and the gun was later reported as loaded. - Wikipedia marks its 25th anniversary on January 15, 2026, and the article notes that Iskander said she is stepping down on January 20, 2026. - The site is built and maintained by volunteer editors who use policies such as the neutral point of view and talk-page discussions to resolve disputes; founder Jimmy Wales remains a public figure who sometimes intervenes in debates. - The article describes pressures from regulators and courts, citing laws such as the EU Digital Services Act and the UK Online Safety Act, an ongoing legal case in India over editor data, and that Wikipedia has been blocked in some countries. - The piece notes changes in traffic and attention as AI tools use Wikipedia content, and mentions the emergence of AI-backed rivals and high-profile public disputes over articles and edits. Summary: The Wikimedia community and Foundation are working through immediate incidents, sustained debates about neutrality, and legal and regulatory challenges while maintaining longstanding, deliberative community processes. Ongoing discussions and community-led working groups are reported as the primary way these issues are being addressed, and debate and policy work are expected to continue in the months ahead.