Halfaker - WMF - Microsoft AI - Legacy Wikipedia AI (Ores)

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Halfaker - WMF - Microsoft AI - Legacy Wikipedia AI (Ores)

Post by wexter » Mon Jun 05, 2023 1:41 am

Found a paper noticing (and "predicting") the decline of Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Halfaker
Halfaker is known for his research on Wikipedia[12][13] and the decrease in the number of active editors of the site.[14][15][16] He has said that Wikipedia began a "decline phase" around 2007 and has continued to decline since then.[17][18]
Here he is at Microsoft AI

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/researc ... ahalfaker/
He’s most notable for building an open infrastructure for machine learning in Wikipedia called ORES. His research and systems engineering have been features in the tech media including Wired, MIT Tech Review, BBC Technology, The Register, and Netzpolitik among others.
https://scholar.google.com/citations?us ... AAAJ&hl=en
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Re: Halfaker - WMF - Microsoft AI - Legacy Wikipedia AI (Ores)

Post by Bbb23sucks » Mon Jun 05, 2023 2:01 am

Link to the actual paper?
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Re: Halfaker - WMF - Microsoft AI - Legacy Wikipedia AI (Ores)

Post by wexter » Mon Jun 05, 2023 3:27 am

Bbb23sucks wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 2:01 am
Link to the actual paper?
Open collaboration systems, such as Wikipedia, need to maintain a pool of volunteer contributors to remain relevant. Wikipedia was created through a tremendous number of contributions by millions of contributors. However, recent research has shown that the number of active contributors in Wikipedia has been declining steadily for years and suggests that a sharp decline in the retention of newcomers is the cause. This article presents data that show how several changes the Wikipedia community made to manage quality and consistency in the face of a massive growth in participation have ironically crippled the very growth they were designed to manage. Specifically the restrictiveness of the encyclopedia’s primary quality control mechanism and the algorithmic tools used to reject contributions are implicated as key causes of decreased newcomer retention. Furthermore, the community’s formal mechanisms for norm articulation are shown to have calcified against changes—especially changes proposed by newer editors.
https://stuartgeiger.com/papers/abs-ris ... ipedia.pdf

My guess is that this PHD, who has been ahead of the curve for years, has left Wikipedia behind in favor of greener pastures with Microsoft AI (which is a replacement technology)

A key phrase was that Wikipedia is "calcified" which means;
When we refer to an institution as becoming "calcified," we are typically using a metaphorical sense of the term. In this context, it means that the institution has become rigid, inflexible, and resistant to change. It implies that the institution has developed a hardened structure or mindset that hampers its ability to adapt, innovate, or respond effectively to new challenges or ideas.

A calcified institution often exhibits the following characteristics:

Resistance to Change: A calcified institution tends to resist or reject new ideas, practices, or approaches. It may cling to traditional methods and processes, even if they have become outdated or inefficient.

Bureaucracy and Red Tape: A calcified institution often suffers from excessive bureaucracy and red tape. Decision-making processes may be slow and convoluted, with numerous layers of approvals and hierarchical structures that impede efficiency and agility.

Lack of Innovation: In a calcified institution, there may be a lack of emphasis on innovation and creativity. New initiatives or projects may face resistance or get stifled by established routines and entrenched attitudes.

Stagnant Culture: A calcified institution may have a stagnant culture, where ideas are not encouraged or nurtured. The organization may lack a spirit of collaboration, learning, and open communication.

Inflexible Policies and Procedures: Calcified institutions often have rigid policies and procedures that leave little room for adaptation or customization. They may be slow to respond to changing circumstances or emerging needs.

Hierarchical Structures: A calcified institution may maintain hierarchical structures that discourage collaboration, empowerment, and the free flow of ideas. Decision-making power may be concentrated at the top, hindering decentralization and agility.

Lack of Accountability: A calcified institution may suffer from a lack of accountability, where individuals or departments are not held responsible for their actions or performance. This lack of accountability can contribute to complacency and an aversion to change.

It's important to note that institutions can become calcified for various reasons, such as a long history, deeply ingrained traditions, resistance to external influences, or an aversion to risk. Overcoming institutional calcification often requires visionary leadership, a culture of innovation, and a willingness to embrace change and adapt to new circumstances.
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Re: Halfaker - WMF - Microsoft AI - Legacy Wikipedia AI (Ores)

Post by ericbarbour » Mon Jun 05, 2023 5:55 am

wexter wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 1:41 am
Found a paper noticing (and "predicting") the decline of Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Halfaker
Here he is at Microsoft AI
Halfaker worked for the WMF for NINE YEARS, according to his own claim. From book wiki:
It should also be noted that Aaron Halfaker, one of the personnel from the University of Minnesota "GroupLens" project, became an employee in 2012. Thus, the GroupLens papers about Wikipedia might not necessarily be "unbiased". Also note that about 40% of the employees refused to allow the WMF to use photographs of them.
Halfaker's WP and Meta accounts (he's still participating, and still friendly with some insiders)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:EpochFail
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:EpochFail

The "Rise and Decline" paper is reasonably accurate. But it caused very little stir when it first saw publication. It was eventually used as "grist" for subsequent papers on Wikipedia, especially their struggles with "editor retention".

This paper, which is literally a re-study of the Halfaker study, was coauthored by Benjamin Mako Hill--a consummate WMF insider. He also blogged about it. "Our findings make it clear that this is a big, important question that deserves more attention", a comment which is studiously ignored when WP fanatics are in the room. So: these papers were basically ignored.
https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3173574.3173929
https://mako.cc/copyrighteous/revisitin ... nd-decline

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Re: Halfaker - WMF - Microsoft AI - Legacy Wikipedia AI (Ores)

Post by wexter » Mon Jun 05, 2023 12:58 pm

On talk - folks are reaching out to him regarding AI. He was able to summarize the situation in one word (calcified)

Resistance to Change
Bureaucracy and Red Tape
Lack of Innovation
Stagnant Culture:
Inflexible Policies and Procedures
Hierarchical Structures
Lack of Accountability

In a few words; cult/social-network, AI technologies, declining, fallacy of the initial premise, public relations, and calcified you get the whole picture.

(There is really no merit in speaking about or to the people - the issues above do a good job in representing the overview)
Wikipedia - "Barely competent and paranoid. There’s a hell of a combination."

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