- California, USA
Jimmy Wales Keynote Speaker
- Founder of Wikipedia.org
- Expert speaker on technology trends
- One of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People”
Jimmy Wales's Biography
Jimmy Wales is a keynote speaker and Internet entrepreneur best known for founding Wikipedia.org, as well as other wiki-related organisations, including the charitable organisation Wikimedia Foundation, and the for-profit company Wikia Inc., which operates Wikia.com.
In January of 2001, Jimmy started Wikipedia.org, the online encyclopaedia that anyone can edit, and in mid-2003, he set up the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in St. Petersburg, Florida, to support the Wikipedia.org site. In 2004, Jimmy co-founded Wikia Inc. with Angela Beesley. Wikia Inc. is a for-profit company based on principles similar to Wikipedia.org, which allows people to contribute information and opinions on any topic, in any language. As part of his work at Wikia Inc., Jimmy is developing a human-powered search engine, Search Wikia, which will be based on the same open, transparent, community-driven principles of Wikia and Wikipedia.
He was appointed a fellow of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School in 2005 and in 2006, he joined the Board of Directors of the non-profit organisation Creative Commons.
In 2007, Jimmy was named one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders, an honour that continues to recognise exceptional young professionals worldwide for their achievements, commitment to society and potential to shape the future. In addition, Jimmy received the Time 100 Award in 2006, as he was named one of the world’s most influential people in the Scientists & Thinkers category.
Why Book Jimmy Wales as a speaker?
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He founded Wikipedia, proving how open, community-driven models can build trusted knowledge at global scale.
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He brings rare insight into internet governance and digital collaboration, shaped by building Wikimedia to sustain one of the world’s most influential public platforms.
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He helps leaders understand how transparency, participation and incentives shape online communities, reputation and information quality.
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He offers a practical lens on the future of open content and digital rights through roles with Harvard’s Berkman Center and the board of Creative Commons.
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