Wikipedia Citation Needed is a chrome extension developed by the Future Audiences team at the Wikimedia Foundation. This tool aids in verifying the reliability of statements read online by cross-checking them with information from Wikipedia.

As a user browses the web, this extension allows them to select a short passage of text and verify it using the ChatGPT API. The selected passage is then examined for its presence in relevant Wikipedia articles, and quotes from these articles are fetched.

The tool provides feedback on whether the chosen statement aligns with Wikipedia information and also supplies relevant article quality metrics such as the date of the last edit and the quantity of its references.

This helps users gain more context on the information they're viewing. Being an experimental feature that utilizes generative AI, the extension's developers welcome user feedback to improve the quality of delivered results.

The tool operates from a side panel, ensuring less disruption to browsing activities, with verification results persisting despite page interactions. The extension also provides an option for users to donate to Wikipedia after a certain number of verifications.

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Wikipedia Citation Needed was manually vetted by our editorial team and was first featured on June 16th 2024.

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Pros and Cons

Pros

Chrome extension

Text verification

Data Cross-Checking

Crowdsourcing feedback

Verifies reliability of statements

Uses ChatGPT API

Relevant Wikipedia articles fetched

Provides statement alignment feedback

Supplies article quality metrics

Contextual information

Less browsing disruption

Persistent verification results

Donation option after verifications

Operates from side panel

Open for user feedback

Developed by Wikimedia Foundation

Rating 4.8 out of 5

Generates citations

Updates with last edit date

Extension size only 1.76MiB

Implements important privacy measures

Not selling user data

Data not used for unrelated purposes

Cons

Chrome only

Relies on ChatGPT API

Depends on Wikipedia reliability

Experimental feature

Disrupts browsing

Mandatory donation prompts

Lacks multilingual support

Q&A

What is the purpose of the Wikipedia Citation Needed extension?

The Wikipedia Citation Needed extension is designed to verify the reliability of online statements. This is achieved by cross-checking these statements with available information on Wikipedia. It provides a platform for users to independently validate the information they encounter as they browse the web.

How does this tool verify the reliability of online statements?

The tool verifies the reliability of online statements by allowing a user to select a short passage of text to be checked. This selected passage is analyzed using the ChatGPT API, and then cross-checked for its presence in relevant Wikipedia articles. The tool fetches quotes from these articles for examination and comparison with the selected statement.

What is the role of the ChatGPT API in the Wikipedia Citation Needed extension?

The ChatGPT API is integral to the verification process in the Wikipedia Citation Needed extension. The API is used to analyze the short passage of text chosen by the user. It then finds its occurrence in appropriate Wikipedia articles and fetches any relevant data or quotes from them for comparison.

What information does the extension provide on checking a chosen statement?

Upon checking a chosen statement, the extension provides feedback about whether or not the statement aligns with information found in Wikipedia. It also supplies related article quality metrics including the date of the last edit and the number of references the article has. This gives users a deeper context and understanding of the information they are looking at.

What is the role of generative AI in Wikipedia Citation Needed?

Generative AI is one of the core technologies used in the Wikipedia Citation Needed tool. It plays a crucial role in scanning and analyzing the chosen statement, finding corresponding entries in Wikipedia, and generating the subsequent report that evaluates the statement's validity based on the information found.

Why is user feedback important for the developers of Wikipedia Citation Needed?

User feedback is vital for the developers of Wikipedia Citation Needed because it helps improve the quality of delivered results. As an experimental feature that utilizes generative AI, the tool relies on user feedback to understand and rectify any inaccuracies or issues, thus enhancing the effectiveness and reliability of its performance.

In what way does this tool integrate with browsing activities?

The tool integrates with browsing activities by operating from a side panel. This design decision was made to ensure minimal disruption to the user's browsing activities. Users can continue browsing the web while the tool handles the verification process in the side panel.

What happens to verification results when page interactions occur?

Verification results in Wikipedia Citation Needed persist even when page interactions occur. In other words, the results do not disappear or get disrupted, allowing users to navigate the web while retaining access to their verification data.

What happens after a user completes a certain number of verifications in this tool?

After completing a certain number of verifications, users are given an option to make a donation to Wikipedia. This is designed to foster support for the platform and maintain its financial sustainability.

How does the Wikipedia Citation Needed extension help users gain more context on the information they're viewing?

The extension helps users gain context on the information they're viewing by providing relevant article quality metrics. These metrics, such as the date of the last edit and the quantity of references, offer users deeper insight into the reliability and general acceptance of the information they're assessing.

Why does the extension operate from a side panel?

The extension operates from a side panel to be less disruptive to the user's browsing experience. This allows verification results to persist without causing interruptions or distractions to other online activities.

What are the 'article quality metrics' provided by this tool?

The 'article quality metrics' provided by the tool are data points regarding the Wikipedia articles the tool references in its validation process. These metrics include the date of the last edit and the quantity of its references, which can shed light on the level of scrutiny and consensus the article might have undergone.

How can I donate to Wikipedia using this extension?

You can donate to Wikipedia using this extension once you've completed a certain number of verifications. An option to donate is presented to the user as a way to support the site's continued operations.

Does the reliability check rely only on one Wikipedia article?

No, the reliability check does not rely on one Wikipedia article alone. The verification process involves scanning relevant Wikipedia articles for the presence of the chosen text and fetches related data or quotes from these articles for evaluation.

Is Wikipedia Citation Needed compatible with all browsers?

Wikipedia Citation Needed was developed as a chrome extension. As such, it is primarily compatible with the Chrome browser. There's no information regarding compatibility with other browsers.

What does the Wikipedia Citation Needed extension do when it can’t find matching information in Wikipedia?

The information available does not provide a specific course of action that the Wikipedia Citation Needed extension follows when it can't find matching information in Wikipedia.

What is the privacy policy for using Wikipedia Citation Needed extension?

The privacy policy for using Wikipedia Citation Needed extension indicates that it can handle user activity and website content. However, such data will not be sold to third parties, used or transferred for unrelated purposes or for determining creditworthiness or lending. Further details can be found in the developer's privacy policy.

How to report an issue or provide feedback on the Wikipedia Citation Needed extension?

To report an issue or provide feedback to the Wikipedia Citation Needed extension, users are encouraged to use the feedback link provided within the extension. This direct line of communication ensures that user experience feedback reaches the developers for assessment and implementation of improvements.

What are the possible benefits of this tool to the academic community?

The tool can be especially beneficial for the academic community as it encourages critical evaluation of information found online. It can be used to verify facts, check the reliability of sources, and assist with referencing correctly, thus promoting rigor and diligence in academic research work.

How does the extension help with citing information from Wikipedia?

While the tool does not explicitly assist with citing information from Wikipedia, it does provide useful 'article quality metrics' such as the date of the last edit and the quantity of its references. This information may assist users in adjudging the relevance and reliability of the Wikipedia article for citation purposes.