As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the data landscape, the preservation and ethical development of open data has never been more mission critical. Wikimedia Enterprise is coming together with Creative Commons for a day of conversations and panel discussions at SXSW 2025 that tackles these pressing challenges head-on.
Thought leaders from across the open Internet, open data, and open source communities will gather during SXSW on Sunday, March 9th at our “Open House,” at 811 Congress Avenue in downtown Austin, to explore how we can protect and advance the principles of openness in an era of rapidly proliferating and unparalleled technological growth.
Why This Matters Now
Wikimedia and Creative Commons, two key components of the open Internet, are uniquely positioned to address critical questions around:
- The future of open access data in an AI-driven world
- Balancing innovation with ethical sourcing and verification of data
- Building sustainable frameworks for open data development
Our downtown Austin venue will provide an intimate setting for meaningful dialogue between industry leaders and open access advocates to discuss our mutual and collective interest in shaping the future of data accessibility, and we invite anyone who’s interested in these issues to join us!
Open House Panels and Itinerary
Meet the Wikimedia Foundation and Wikimedia Enterprise Teams!
Where: 811 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
When: March 9th 2025 9AM – 10PM CT
Morning “Open House” Panel: 11am – 12pm CT
AI Inbound: What roles do machines play in Wikipedia’s human-centric world?
Did you know that machine learning programs have been part of Wikipedia editors’ toolkits for two decades? Obviously things have changed, but what do these changes mean for Wikipedia and the volunteers who create it? We will explore these questions and more with a group of Wikipedia contributors who can speak to both the history and the cutting edge of AI’s impacts on Wikipedia.
Our panelists will discuss how editors have used machine learning and AI over the decades, how they’re using it now, and how the community of volunteer editors is handling the rise of AI-generated content, on and off Wikipedia. Finally, our experts will reflect on how their experiences might inform society’s broader usage of new AI technologies in ways that support humans, rather than replace them.
Afternoon “Open House” Panel: 3pm – 4pm CT
AI Outbound: What roles does Wikipedia play in technology development?
Wikipedia probably appears regularly in your search results, but did you know it’s also baked into your smart speakers, apps, and most, if not all of the latest AI assistants? What makes Wikipedia such a valuable resource for technology developers, and what does using Wikipedia in these ways mean for the encyclopedia?
Join us as a range of experts from tech companies, the open knowledge movement, and the Wikimedia Foundation explore how Wikipedia and other parts of the digital commons support a thriving ecosystem of emerging technologies and discuss how reusing openly licensed content impacts the sustainability of this environment.
SXSW Conference Panels
Our Lane Becker will also be on an official SXSW panel discussing AI and free access to information and resources as well. If you have a SXSW Interactive/Platinum Badge (required), please come listen and bring your questions!
When: March 9th 2025 4pm – 5pm CT
Openness Under Pressure: Navigating the Future of Open Access
In a world where artificial intelligence and other socio-technical forces are rapidly advancing, the principles of openness and free access to information and resources are increasingly under threat. This panel brings together leading voices from the open Internet, open data, open-source, and other open-access communities to discuss the future of openness across various fields.
Also from the Wikimedia Foundation, Rebecca MacKinnon will be on a SXSW panel discussing trust, facts, and integrity of online information.
When: March 8th 2025 11:30am – 12:30 CT
How Can Fictional Futures Help Us Strengthen Truth
Imagine a world where reliable, well-sourced, and human-verified information is not only flourishing, but public trust in it is growing. Can such a world exist beyond fantasy fiction? How do we make it a reality?
We explore these questions by bringing together tech practitioners into conversation with fiction authors and journalists. In this session, our panelists will discuss:
– How fictional futures can help strengthen truth and facts online.
– Who are the heroes and antiheroes in the quest to protect the integrity of online information?
Keeping Openness at the Forefront
These discussions build on the momentum of our recent collaboration with the Common Crawl Foundation at NeurIPS 2024, where we explored how nonprofit organizations and AI/ML communities intersect. The overwhelming response to that conversation underscored the growing demand for ethical data practices and sustainable development in tech.
Whether you’re a C-level leader, engineer, product manager, policymaker, or a dedicated advocate for open access, your perspective is vital.
Be part of this essential dialogue on the future of open access and ethical AI development. Together, we can ensure openness and accessibility remain foundational principles in our rapidly evolving data landscape.