AI (Artificial Intelligence) Is Officially the “Word of the Year”

Were you expecting this? In 2023, artificial intelligence (AI) has been one of the most discussed terms on the planet. It has opened up debates on whether it will bring positive changes or destruction. These discussions have made it possible for AI to be one of the most talked about words this year. And, this is exactly why it was named “word of the year” by the Collins Dictionary.

What Is AI?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include learning, reasoning, problem-solving, understanding natural language, speech recognition, and visual perception. AI systems are designed to mimic cognitive functions and adapt to various situations, improving their performance over time.

There have been multiple discussions on AI and whether Artificial Intelligence truly is as beneficial as one might hope. While it has in fact, made many things easier, this also has its own downfalls. People all over the world have continuously discussed whether AI is necessary. This comes as part of the discussion that although AI has made things easier, this means some jobs will also not be available anymore in the future.

Why Was AI Chosen As the Word of the Year?

The term “artificial intelligence” (AI), defined as “the showcase of human mental functions by computer programs,” was chosen as the “word of the year” by Collins Dictionary for 2023. Additionally, this choice was based on the rapid mentioning and dominance of AI in conversations throughout the year, with the usage of the term quadrupling.

Other Words That Made the List

The choice was made from a list of new terms showing the growing language and concerns of users, including terms like “greedflation” and “debanking.” Two new terms, “Nepo baby” and “deinfluencing,” have been included in the Collins Dictionary. “Nepo baby” refers to the children of celebrities whose success is presumed to be influenced by their famous parents. On the other hand, “deinfluencing” is defined as the act of using social media to caution followers against specific commercial products or lifestyle choices.

Several new terms have also been included in the Collins Dictionary, including “Ulez.” It is an acronym for “ultra-low emissions zone” referring to a restricted area in central London for less polluting vehicles. Moreover, “Bazball” is a cricket style characterized by aggressive batting, named after former New Zealand cricketer Brendon “Baz” McCullum. Additionally, the term “canon event,” denoting an episode crucial to an individual’s character or identity, gained popularity. This was through the movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

How Words Get Chosen for the Word of the Year

The annual word of the year, chosen by lexicographers who monitor various sources, including social media, has been announced by the publisher. Previous terms include “permacrisis” and “NFT.” The 2020 word was “lockdown.” In 2023, health-related terms took prominence, with “ultra-processed” referring to food prepared using complex industrial methods, and “semaglutide,” an appetite-suppressing medication. Additionally, the usage of “semaglutide” has tripled in the past year.

According to Alex Beecroft, the managing director of Collins, there is no doubt that AI has been the central topic of discussion in 2023. Furthermore, he highlights that AI’s rapid development has led it to become as pervasive and integrated into daily life as email and streaming. This would mark a significant shift from once-futuristic to now commonplace technology.

Have you used any of the words mentioned in your lexicon? Are there any words you were expecting to see? Let us know in the comments below!

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