Wikimedia Community User Group Malaysia/Reports/Wikimania 2023/Blusjai

Things learned at the conference

The experience throughout the Wikimania conference in Singapore helped me a lot in developing an insight regarding the purpose as a wikimedian. This is particularly related to how I want to take advantage of the knowledge I have gained from other wikimedian's efforts in globalizing their language.

I listened and learned about the efforts of the Paiwan people in trying to preserve their language.
I learned about the opportunity to globalize the panorama of the local environment through wikicommons.
I learned wikimedia's challenge to the existence of AI like Chat-GPT.
I learned the importance of free knowledge for everyone.
I learned to write and publish an article at Simple Wikipedia.
I learned that sharing a picture through Wikicommons shall usefull to someone, such as a reference for their article.

Things the participant contributed or participated in or since the conference

16 August

In the morning, I join the ESEAP Strategy Summit 2023 with my friends at Room 325. I learned about the Wikimedia movement in East, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Hub. Before lunch break, we move to the other room, Room 310, where we learned about writing and publish an article at simple Wikipedia. The workshop was led by a friendly volunteer from Wikimedian Indonesia who explained the basics effectively. At the afternoon, we attended in the Wikimedia Commons Basics Workshop at Room 310. Lead by Mike Dickison. In addition to understanding the positive impact of uploading images to Wikimedia Commons, I gained valuable insights into different types of image copyrights. The workshop also covered the proper way to organize and provide data for images. At 5 o'clock, we move to the Plenary Hall for the Wikimania 2023 Opening Reception. My highlight of that evening was a speech delivered by the CEO of Wikipedia, Maryana Iskander. However, what truly thrilled me was the presence of Wikipedia's founder, Jimmy Wales. He not only welcomed the Wikimedians of the Year but also addressed the entire gathering. At the same time, I was filled with excitement as I had the chance to meet with other Wikimedians from 138 different countries.

17 August

I began my second day at the conference by attending a session on technology and its impact on the Wikimedia projects, specifically focusing on AI advancements. Lydia Pintscher and her group led this informative discussion in room 309. The conversation revolved around the potential threats posed by AI to the power of Wikipedia in the context of the free knowledge movement. One significant concern that surfaced during this discussion was the limitations of machine translation, particularly in languages other than English. This issue became particularly apparent during discussions about the auto chat function. Participants pondered whether there was a shared imperative to bridge the gap in AI capabilities between languages. Following this thought-provoking session, I headed to the Plenary Hall for a related discussion: "ChatGPT vs. WikiGPT: Challenges and Opportunities in Harnessing Generative AI for Wikimedia Projects," as well as an overview of the current state of machine learning within Wikimedia projects. After the lunch break, I joined a meeting hosted by UNESCO in room 307. Here, I gained insights into UNESCO's efforts to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their work in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

18 August

On the third day following the Wikimania conference, I attended the inauguration of the Kent Wiki Club, which took place in room 324. This club has its roots in our campus, and we were among the earliest members to help establish it. Furthermore, we have a direct affiliation with Wikimedia in Malaysia, a Wikimedia user group community. The inauguration was a significant event, and it garnered attention from the media, with several news outlets covering the ceremony. Additionally, we were honored to have two notable influencers in attendance. The event was further enriched by the presence of the Wikimedia community group from Paiwan, who added to the excitement of the ceremony. After the inauguration, I remained in the same location and continued to engage in the day's activities. I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by Shani titled "What I've Learned from a 5-Year PhD Journey: Exploring Wikidata as a Learning Platform." Following that, there was another enlightening presentation titled "Bridge the Digital Language Divide: Can Machine Translation Narrow the Knowledge Gap?" by Khai Zu. By noon, I decided to head to the Plenary Hall to enjoy a meal before delving into further sessions dedicated to learning about sound logos and related topics.v

19 August

On the last day of the conference, which was scheduled to be followed by my return home the next day, I actively engaged in various activities. In the morning, I participated in a thought-provoking discussion about the future of Wikimania and the role of Wikimedia within the Wikimedia movement. It was a stimulating conversation about the organization's direction and goals. During this time, I also learned about scholarship opportunities that have been available from 2018 to 2024. This information could potentially open up new opportunities for aspiring contributors to the Wikimedia community. After a fulfilling lunch break, I had the unique privilege of being part of a captivating cultural performance. I joined the Sazau dance performance by Wikient, followed by the Manuk Lembukun dance. These dances are deeply rooted in the rich culture of the people of Borneo. The audience's enthusiastic participation and appreciation for our performance left a lasting impression on me. Following the dance performances, we delved into presentations centered around the rebranding of Wikimedia to attract a wider audience, particularly the younger generation. The discussions emphasized the importance of aligning with current trends such as cosplay, featuring characters from comics, anime, and games. It was evident that the Wikimedia community is dedicated to staying relevant and accessible in today's dynamic world. To conclude this memorable day, we came together for a delightful dinner at the beautiful Garden by the Bay. This provided us with a splendid opportunity to unwind, connect, and enjoy a spectacular light show, adding an enchanting touch to our closing celebration.

Plans after the conference

To implement activity plans or programs within the Wiki Kent Club as part of the Wikimedia Malaysia User Community Group. These activities are designed not only to achieve the goal of digitizing the Kadazandusun language and culture but also to introduce the philosophy and the Wikimedia movement to the community, collaborating with other clubs.

Comments/suggestions about the conference

Comment

The Wikimania conference in Singapore was incredibly exciting. I'm deeply thankful to the Malaysian Wikimedia User Community Group (WUCG) for granting me a scholarship to gain a broader understanding of the Wikimedia movement on a global scale. The conference also served as a strong motivation for me to continue contributing to Wikimedia projects.

Suggestion

I hope to receive further guidance regarding the Wikimedia movement in Malaysia, particularly from the Malaysian Wikimedia User Community Group (WUCG).