Google is increasing its support of Wikimedia, the parent company of Wikipedia, by pouring in an additional $3.1 million, bringing its total contribution over the past decade to more than $7.5 million.
Google also committed to providing several of its machine learning tools, such as Custom Search API and Cloud Vision API, to the editors of Wikipedia at no cost.
Custom Search API would help editors with citations and finding sources, while Cloud Vision API would enable editors to automatically digitize books and include more diverse and reputable sources for citations.
In recent years, the search giant has grown reliant on Wikipedia and today, more than ever, they both need each other’s level of expertise for the next billion users in emerging markets.
‘As the next billion people come online, it’s critical that the content on the web reflects the diversity of its users. Currently, the web is lacking content in many local languages and this restricts the information that people can access,’ said Ben Gomes, Google SVP of search, news and assistant, in a statement.
Collaboration on such initiatives will help increase the availability of local language content and empower local editors to provide their communities with relevant content in their native languages.
In a statement, Lisa Gruwell, chief advancement officer at the Wikimedia Foundation, said: ‘Google and Wikimedia each play a unique role in an internet that works for and reflects the diversity of its users. We look forward to continuing our work with Google in close collaboration with our communities around the world.’
Keep on going guys, the internet would not be the same without you!
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