River Cruise with Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia - "Riding the Waves in the New Economy"
An enlightening event to delve into the fascinating topic of “Riding the Waves in the New Economy.”
On August 14, 2023, Social Innovation Park and Unicorns for Good hosted an exclusive event in Singapore “River Cruise with Jimmy Wales, the Founder of Wikipedia”, one of the most popular websites in the world, with billions of online visits per month. The event, which took the form of a river cruise along the Singapore River, was an opportunity for guests to learn about the history and impact of Wikipedia, as well as to discuss the future of knowledge sharing in the digital age. The cruise began with a welcome from Ms. Penny Low, Former Member of Parliament and the Founder and Chair of Social Innovation Park and Unicorns for Good. Jimmy Wales then took the stage to share his insights on the history and evolution of Wikipedia. His journey to becoming a global internet visionary is a testament to the potential of human innovation and collaboration. His vision for Wikipedia, encapsulated in the phrase “Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge,” holds profound significance for us. This visionary concept resonates deeply with our commitment to positive change and the advancement of society through technology. Wales envisioned a world where knowledge is democratised and barrier-free, transcending geographical, linguistic, economic, and social boundaries. And he made it happen and continues to work towards that goal everyday. We were privileged to gain profound insights into the inception, evolution, and enduring impact of Wikipedia. Mr. Wales’s reflections on the challenges faced and the triumphs celebrated along the way offered a rare glimpse into the journey of an iconic platform that has transformed how we access and share knowledge. Beyond this, the conversation delved into a topic close to our hearts – the potential of technology for the greater good. Mr. Wales’s discourse on leveraging technology to drive positive change reaffirmed our commitment to our collective mission. The fireside chat was followed by a Q&A session, during which guests had the opportunity to ask Wales questions about his own experiences using AI tools, what he envisions for the future of Wikipedia and how it sees it keeping up with photo and video sharing apps like Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok etc. It was a lively and engaging discussion, and it provided guests with a unique opportunity to learn from one of the world’s leading experts on knowledge sharing. Guests also enjoyed a scenic cruise along the Singapore River, taking in some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as Marina Bay Sands, the Esplanade, and the Merlion. It was a beautiful way to end a day of learning and inspiration. In the new economy, those who can master the art of riding the waves will not only thrive but shape the landscape itself, carving paths of progress as they journey towards a brighter future. Just as Wikipedia has become a cornerstone of accessible knowledge, SIP and UFG aspire to contribute to a world where technology is harnessed for the greater good and we can together collectively reframe these global challenges as growth opportunities, problems as possibilities and scarcity as an opportunity to create abundance.