In a world driven by curiosity and a hunger for knowledge, Wikipedia continues to serve as a digital encyclopedia, offering insights into the topics that capture the globe’s attention. As we bid farewell to 2023, Wikipedia has unveiled its annual list of the top 25 most-viewed pages, providing a fascinating snapshot of the year’s collective interests.
ChatGPT Takes the Lead
Topping the charts this year is the page dedicated to OpenAI’s virtual chatbot, ChatGPT. With a staggering 49.4 million page views, ChatGPT has not only set records for its rapid user base growth but has become a symbol of the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. The surge in interest reflects a broader curiosity about the technology and a desire to understand its history and context.
Anusha Alikhan, Chief Communications Officer at the Wikimedia Foundation, notes that ChatGPT’s reliance on Wikipedia data underscores the vital role Wikipedia plays in training large language models. Despite its popularity, the nonprofit nature of Wikimedia means that OpenAI does not incur charges for using Wikipedia content, maintaining a commitment to an ad-free and privacy-respecting platform.
People Who Shaped 2023
Unsurprisingly, biographical pages about individuals who passed away in 2023 claimed the second spot on the list. In a year marked by significant losses, the world turned to Wikipedia to remember and reflect on the lives of influential figures.
Cricket Fever Sweeps Wikipedia
Cricket enthusiasts fueled the surge in views for the 2023 Cricket World Cup and the Indian Premier League, claiming the third and fourth positions, respectively. The thrilling cricket season, where India emerged as the runner-up in the World Cup, captivated millions around the world.
“Oppenheimer” Commands Attention
The page dedicated to the film “Oppenheimer” secured the fifth spot, outpacing even major Hollywood blockbusters in terms of Wikipedia views. This intriguing phenomenon emphasizes the diverse range of interests and global perspectives shaping the platform.
India’s Influence on the Global Stage
India made a significant impact on Wikipedia’s list, with a fifth of the top-viewed pages hailing from the country or Southeast Asia. A testament to India’s growing influence, this mirrors the nation’s rich media environment and burgeoning information technology sector.
Bollywood Takes Center Stage
Two action films from India’s Bollywood, “Jawan” and “Pathaan,” outshone major American productions like “Barbie” and “Avatar: The Way of Water.” The global appeal of Indian cinema is evident, showcasing the diversity of Wikipedia users’ interests.
Global Sporting Events and Entertainment Icons
Beyond cricket, the list features the 2023 Indian Premier League, Taylor Swift, Elon Musk, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. These pages highlight the enduring popularity of sports and entertainment icons, with users seeking the latest updates on their favorite personalities.
Notable Global Events
Reflecting the balance between entertainment and serious global events, pages related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine garnered substantial attention. Despite the overshadowing effect of the Gaza conflict, users turned to Wikipedia for information on one of the year’s most significant geopolitical developments.
Andrew Tate’s Controversial Presence
Closing the list is the controversial figure Andrew Tate, whose page received over 12.7 million views. Tate’s notoriety, fueled by his controversial statements and legal troubles, underscores the varied nature of Wikipedia users’ interests.
Wikipedia’s Impact and Future
Wikipedia’s list of most-viewed pages in 2023 paints a dynamic picture of a platform that continues to be a go-to source for information across diverse domains. From cutting-edge AI to global sporting events, Bollywood hits to geopolitical crises, Wikipedia remains a reflection of our collective thirst for knowledge.
As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of information, Wikipedia stands as a testament to the power of collaborative knowledge-sharing and the role it plays in shaping our understanding of the world. With India’s growing influence, the platform’s commitment to nonprofit principles, and the global community’s insatiable curiosity, Wikipedia remains an invaluable resource in our digital age.
A full list of pages, by rank and number of page views is available below
- ChatGPT, 49,490,406 page views
- Deaths in 2023, 42,666,860
- 2023 Cricket World Cup, 38,171,653
- Indian Premier League, 32,012,810
- Oppenheimer (film), 28,348,248
- Cricket World Cup, 25,961,417
- J. Robert Oppenheimer, 25,672,469
- Jawan (film), 21,791,126
- 2023 Indian Premier League, 20,694,974
- Pathaan (film), 19,932,509
- The Last of Us (TV series), 19,791,789
- Taylor Swift, 19,418,385
- Barbie (film), 18,051,077
- Cristiano Ronaldo, 17,492,537
- Lionel Messi, 16,623,630
- Premier League, 16,604,669
- Matthew Perry, 16,454,666
- United States, 16,240,461
- Elon Musk, 14,370,395
- Avatar: The Way of Water, 14,303,116
- India, 13,850,178
- Lisa Marie Presley, 13,764,007
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, 13,392,917
- Russian invasion of Ukraine, 12,798,866
- Andrew Tate, 12,728,616
FAQs
Q1: What is the significance of ChatGPT being the most viewed page on Wikipedia in 2023?
A: ChatGPT’s top position reflects the world’s keen interest in artificial intelligence. As the fastest-growing user base recorded in February, people sought to understand the technology’s history and context, leading to a record-breaking 49.4 million page views.
Q2: Why did biographical posts about people who died in 2023 claim the second spot?
A: In a year marked by significant losses, users turned to Wikipedia to remember and reflect on the lives of influential individuals, making biographical posts the second most-viewed category.
Q3: What role did Indian users play in shaping Wikipedia’s top 25 most-viewed pages?
A: India and Southeast Asian audiences made a substantial impact, contributing to a fifth of the list. The country’s rich media environment and information technology sector, coupled with its growing population and internet users, influenced global trends on the platform.
Q4: Why did cricket-related pages feature prominently in the top 5?
A: The 2023 Cricket World Cup, where India was the runner-up, and the Indian Premier League garnered immense interest globally. It marked the first time cricket-related articles appeared in Wikipedia’s top 25, reflecting the sport’s widespread appeal.
Q5: How did Bollywood films “Jawan” and “Pathaan” surpass major Hollywood productions?
A: The Bollywood films’ popularity on Wikipedia, outperforming Hollywood hits like “Barbie” and “Avatar: The Way of Water,” underscores the global appeal of Indian cinema and the diverse interests of Wikipedia users.
Q6: Why did pages related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine receive significant attention?
A: Despite being somewhat overshadowed by the conflict in Gaza, the Russian invasion of Ukraine captured global attention, resulting in close to 12.8 million views on Wikipedia.
Q7: Who is Andrew Tate, and why did his page make the list?
A: Andrew Tate, a controversial figure known for his self-proclaimed misogynistic views, legal troubles, and re-platforming on X, attracted over 12.7 million views. His influence on youth, particularly young men, prompted educators, police, human rights advocates, and politicians to express concern.
Q8: How does Wikipedia contribute to training large language models like ChatGPT?
A: Wikipedia plays an essential role in training almost every large language model, including ChatGPT. The platform’s data, compiled by human users and editors, contributes to the responses generated by the chatbot.
Q9: What sets Wikipedia apart, considering its nonprofit status?
A: Wikipedia’s nonprofit status means it does not charge companies like OpenAI for content usage. This commitment to nonprofit principles also ensures an ad-free platform that does not track users’ private information.
Q10: How does the list reflect the diverse interests of Wikipedia users in 2023?
A: The list, spanning from artificial intelligence and sports to entertainment, global events, and controversies, showcases the diverse interests and curiosity of Wikipedia’s global user base in 2023.
