Jimmy Wales' 'The Seven Rules of Trust' Set for October 28 Release, Addresses Global Credibility Crisis

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales is preparing for the October 28, 2025, release of his new book, "The Seven Rules of Trust: A Blueprint for Building Things That Last." The book delves into the principles that enabled Wikipedia to become a globally trusted knowledge platform, offering insights for navigating an era marked by widespread skepticism and declining institutional trust. Wales is scheduled to discuss these core lessons at an upcoming Interintellect salon.

The book, published by Crown Currency, is described as a "sweeping reflection on the global crisis of credibility and knowledge." It aims to reveal the "rules of trust" that transformed Wikipedia from its early days into a vital global utility. Wales posits that trust is a "living thing that can and must be cultivated," drawing parallels between Wikipedia's success and the broader societal need to rebuild confidence in institutions.

Despite initial predictions of its demise, Wikipedia evolved into an indispensable resource, viewed billions of times monthly. Its journey, as detailed by Wales, involved overcoming the challenge of fostering trust among anonymous contributors. This experience provides a unique lens through which to examine current issues, including recent claims of bias and attempts at censorship targeting the platform.

Prominent figures have lauded Wales's work, with Yuval Noah Harari calling the book "both hopeful and practical." Simon Sinek noted, "Wikipedia is the exception" among online companies struggling with trustworthiness. Wales himself, in a recent interview, emphasized Wikipedia's commitment to transparency and its resilience against external pressures, stating, "As long as we stay Wikipedia, people will still love us."

The Interintellect salon, hosted by @noUpside, will offer a "first look at the ideas" presented in the book, with attendees receiving a discount. Additionally, Wales will participate in a conversation at the United Nations Office for Partnerships on October 29, further extending the discussion on building trust and fostering collaboration for resilient organizations in a complex world.