Computer-Aided Tagging on Wikimedia Commons: Designing for Human–AI Collaboration in Open Knowledge Work

Abstract

This study investigates Wikimedia Commons contributors’ lived experiences with the Computer-Aided Tagging (CAT) tool, an AI-assisted image tagging system designed to improve Commons’ discoverability, searchability, accessibility, and multilingual support. Using a qualitative analysis of 595 CAT-related community comments from 11 wiki pages and 16 in-depth interviews, we identify seven key issues that contributed to CAT’s mixed reception and eventual deactivation. We also offer community-informed suggestions for improving the tool. We reflect on the implications for designing human–AI collaboration on Commons and for developing AI-assisted tools that support open knowledge work. This work contributes to HCI and CSCW research by extending the understanding of human–AI collaboration beyond Anglophone, text-centric, corporate platforms.