# Wikipedia's Jimmy Wales: Last Decent Tech Baron

> Jimmy Wales, 60, celebrates Wikipedia's 25th anniversary as the last decent tech baron amid AI threats and criticism.
- Title: Wikipedia's Jimmy Wales: Last Decent Tech Baron · MoneyWeek
- Summary: Jimmy Wales, 60, celebrates Wikipedia's 25th anniversary as the last decent tech baron amid AI threats and criticism.
- Keywords: wikipedia, jimmy wales, wikipedia founder, ai threat, tech baron, wikipedia 25th anniversary, non-profit, MoneyWeek
- Source: MoneyWeek — https://moneyweek.com/people/entrepreneurs/wikipedia-founder-jimmy-wales-is-the-last-decent-tech-baron
- Published: 2026-11-08T08:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: wikipedia, jimmy wales, wikipedia founder, ai threat, tech baron, wikipedia 25th anniversary, non-profit
## Wikipedia's 25th Anniversary
Jimmy Wales turns 60 as Wikipedia celebrates its 25th anniversary.

> a sweeping reflection on the global crisis of credibility and knowledge
## AI Threat to Wikipedia
Wikipedia faces AI's existential threat as it trains large language models.

> AI poses an existential threat
## Criticism from Tech Leaders
Elon Musk and David Sacks criticize Wikipedia as run by left-wing activists.

> Wokepedia is run by an army of left-wing activists
## Wales' Non-Profit Decision
Wales made Wikipedia a non-profit in 2003, costing him a fortune.

> either the smartest or the dumbest thing i ever did
## Wales' Early Career
Wales was an options trader before founding Wikipedia in 2001.

> he lasted a year before, inspired by netscape's nineteen ninety-five ipo
## Wikipedia's Impact
Wikipedia became part of the internet's plumbing with over 100 million articles.

> the largest encyclopedia ever written by humans
## Key takeaway

Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, is called the last decent tech baron after 25 years of building the free encyclopedia amid AI challenges and criticism.