The article commemorates the 25th anniversary of Wikipedia, tracing its roots back to the early 2000s when internet usage was burgeoning in Ecuador. It narrates how the rise of the web brought about various online platforms, including chat rooms and blogs, shaping the daily lives of people. Wikipedia, founded by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, emerged as a free and accessible encyclopedia on January 15, 2001, quickly becoming a popular resource for information worldwide.

Throughout its 25 years, Wikipedia has been both praised and criticized, receiving high acknowledgment as a fast reference point on numerous topics. Its growth reflects the collaborative nature of modern knowledge-sharing, fostering a community-driven approach that exemplifies collective work. The article highlights the paradox of Wikipedia’s reliability, often deemed questionable amidst a sea of information, yet frequently utilized by systems of artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT and Gemini, marking a new chapter in content consumption and knowledge dissemination.

The piece also explores the implications of Wikipedia's enduring legacy, its challenges in maintaining accuracy and trust in a digital age filled with misinformation, and its competition with AI technologies that provide concise information. As Wikipedia continues to influence how people access and perceive knowledge, the conversation around its role remains critical, prompting reflections on the future of collective knowledge in a rapidly changing world.