AI” Crowned as Collins’ Most Notable Word of 2023

In a striking reflection of the prevailing trends and concerns of 2023, the dictionary publisher Collins has declared “AI” as the most significant word of the year. This term, an abbreviation for artificial intelligence, is defined as “the simulation of human cognitive functions by computer programs”. The selection of AI as the word of the year underscores its rapid growth and widespread influence in our daily conversations and lives.

The use of the term AI, a strict initialism, has seen a fourfold increase over the past year. It was selected from a range of new terms that, according to Collins, mirror our constantly evolving language and the concerns of its users. Among these new terms are “greedflation”, which refers to the manipulation of inflation to unjustifiably raise prices and boost corporate profits, and “debanking”, a term that describes the act of denying someone access to banking services.

The list also includes terms like “nepo baby”, which refers to the children of celebrities who are believed to have launched their careers due to their parents’ fame, and “deinfluencing”. The latter term is defined by Collins lexicographers as “the use of social media to caution followers against certain commercial products or lifestyle choices.”

The process of selecting the annual word of the year involves lexicographers monitoring a variety of sources, including social media. In previous years, words such as “permacrisis” and “NFT” have been selected. In 2020, in the wake of the global pandemic, the word of the year was inevitably “lockdown”.

Health-related concerns were prevalent in 2023, as reflected by the inclusion of terms like “ultra-processed” and “semaglutide”. The former refers to food prepared using complex industrial methods from multiple ingredients, often with little or no nutritional value. The latter is an appetite-suppressing medication. The usage of both terms has tripled over the past year.

Other terms that made the list include the acronym “Ulez”, which stands for ultra-low emissions zone and is associated with a section of central London where more polluting vehicles are restricted, and “Bazball”, a term coined after New Zealand cricketer Brendon “Baz” McCullum that describes an aggressive style of test cricket.

The term “canon event”, which refers to an episode that significantly shapes an individual’s character or identity, gained popularity due to its use in the movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Alex Beecroft, Collins’ managing director, stated unequivocally that AI was “the talking point of 2023”. He noted that AI, with its rapid advancements and ubiquitous presence, has become as commonplace and integral to our lives as email or streaming services, technologies that were once considered futuristic.

With the latest AI news & AI tools becoming increasingly accessible and impactful, it’s no surprise that AI has become a focal point of discussion. AI images generator and AI video generator are just two examples of how artificial intelligence generated images and content have revolutionized various industries. Similarly, the AI text generator has transformed content creation, proving that AI is not just a buzzword but a transformative force in our lives.

The recognition of AI as the word of the year by Collins reflects not just the prevalence of this technology in our current conversations but also its potential to shape our future.