Wikipedia @25: Microsoft, Meta, Amazon And AI Startups Pay For Access to Its Data

Wikipedia has marked its 25th anniversary by deepening its commercial ties with the world’s largest technology companies. Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Perplexity, and Mistral AI have joined Google in paying the Wikimedia Foundation for structured access to its vast knowledge base of more than 65 million articles.

The agreements operate through Wikimedia Enterprise, a paid API launched in 2021 that offers reliable, structured data designed for large-scale commercial use. The programme helps companies access Wikipedia content without straining its infrastructure, a growing concern as AI developers increasingly rely on freely available online information to train models.

Wikimedia Enterprise president Lane Becker said the shift reflects Big Tech’s recognition that Wikipedia is mission-critical to their products and must be financially supported to remain sustainable. Once largely funded by small donations, the platform has seen rising operational costs as demand from AI systems surged.

The move underscores Wikipedia’s evolution from a volunteer-driven encyclopedia into a cornerstone of the global AI data supply chain. Microsoft has described the partnership as part of building a sustainable content ecosystem where high-quality information and contributors are properly valued.

The transition comes alongside leadership changes at the Wikimedia Foundation, with former U.S. Ambassador to Chile Bernadette Meehan assuming the role of CEO on January 20, 2026, signalling a more professionalised approach to balancing public service with commercial partnerships.