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What should we know �for the future?

Global trends that will impact the next �15 years of Wikimedia��August 12, 2017

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Who are we?

Jessica Clark, Dot Connector Studio

@beyondbroadcast

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Sarah Lutman, Lutman & Associates

@lutman_sarah

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By 2030…

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CC BY-SA 2.0, ICT4D.at

The world’s population and media habits will change

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  • Africa ascendant
  • More kids—and more elders
  • A leap in literacy
  • Room to grow: for example, in Arabic
  • Rapid growth in IP traffic in the Middle East and Africa is also predicted

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How can the movement support existing communities while welcoming newcomers?

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CC BY-SA 2.0, Stefano Ravalli

Mobile will be the dominant platform—and support new formats such as VR, AR & bots

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  • Always-on and in our pockets
  • Desktop use declines
  • Expanding choices for information seekers
  • More visual, audio, and immersive
  • A challenge for Wikimedia’s relevance

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How can the movement adapt to mobile, emerging formats, and new �user needs?

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CC BY 2.0, Brett Taylor

Misinformation will continue to grow and mutate

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  • Trust in online information is in decline
  • A “darkening” globe
  • More types of fake content
  • Responses: policy, technology, transparency, collaboration
  • The Wikimedia movement can play pivotal role

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How can the movement welcome new contributors while still strengthening the reliability of content?

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CC BY 2.0, Tim Sheerman-Chase

The open knowledge movement will be under threat

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  • Rising proprietary platforms and increasing government interventions
  • Wikimedians are not alone in resisting these trends
  • Policy follows practice
  • Time to take a stronger, more public stance?

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What is the movement’s role in working with allies to advocate for its �founding values?

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CC BY 2.0, US Department of Education

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New forms of literacy will rise, and GLAM institutions can become powerful partners

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  • Literacy being redefined
  • Students and citizens need trusted sources and training
  • Free, quality information sources rapidly expanding
  • Adaptive technologies will improve access

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How can the movement partner most effectively to help build the growing sphere of digital knowledge?

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CC BY 2.0, Tim Sheerman-Chase

Disruption will not only continue, but accelerate

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  • Social and technological change defy predictions
  • Projections from trends are not sufficient
  • Scenario planning, science fiction offer richer imaginings
  • Wikimedia movement uniquely positioned to gather new visions

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How can the movement build capacity to track and potentially shape new realities?

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Research briefs are posted on meta

Go to 2030.wikimedia.org

Click “LEARN”

Scroll to “Foundation research on major trends”

The first 3 of 6 research briefs are available today

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Thank you and

please join the conversation!