Artificial intelligence (AI) has been named the Collins Word of the Year 2023, reflecting its rapid development and growing impact on society. The UK-edited dictionary defines AI as “the modeling of human mental functions by computer programs.”
The decision to name AI as the word of the year was made after Collins editors observed a significant increase in its usage in recent years. They note that AI is now being used in a wide range of applications, from healthcare and transportation to customer service and entertainment.
“Touted to be the next big technological revolution, AI has seen rapid development and is much talked about in 2023,” Collins said in a statement.
The rise of AI has also sparked a number of debates and concerns, particularly about its potential impact on jobs and the economy. However, Collins editors argue that AI is also a force for good, with the potential to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.
“While AI’s abilities to mimic human speech fascinated people at first, they were also the source of some anxiety,” Collins said. “If computers suddenly became experts at the problem of language, then what will come next? Debates, studies and predictions followed. This is more than enough for the Collins dictionary to make ‘AI’ the word of the year in 2023.“
The announcement of the Collins Word of the Year comes just days after the inaugural global AI safety summit kicked off in the United Kingdom. The summit, hosted by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has brought together experts from around the world to discuss the potential risks and benefits of AI.
Other Contenders
The shortlist for the Word of the Year also included several other notable terms reflecting contemporary trends and concerns. These included “de-influence”, referring to a social media influencer using their popularity to warn followers against certain products or lifestyle choices.
“Nepo-baby”, another shortlisted term, refers to individuals whose careers are believed to have been facilitated by their famous parents.
The term “canonical event”, defined as an experience essential to an individual’s character or identity, also made it to the shortlist.
Health and Economy
Two terms reflecting health and economic concerns also featured on the shortlist. “Ultra-processed foods”, prepared using complex industrial methods and often consisting of ingredients with little or no nutritional value, was one such term.
The weight loss drug “semaglutide”, also known as “Ozempic”, was another term that made it to the list. The drug gained popularity after several celebrities reportedly used it for weight loss.
“Greedflation”, a term that refers to alleged practices of companies making excessive price increases in an attempt to maximize profits during times of high inflation, was also shortlisted.
Last year, the dictionary named “permacrisis” – “an extended period of instability and insecurity” – as the word of the year, following “NFT” in 2021.
