Collins Dictionary has declared "AI'' as the word of the year for 2023, signifying the relentless acceleration of artificial intelligence in our lives. With that in mind, there's no argument to be made whether AI is popular or not. It's simply seen in almost all posts online across different industries such as technology, healthcare, and food.
The Rise of 'AI'
AI was declared by Collins Dictionary as the word of the year.
"AI," an initialism representing "the modelling of human mental functions by computer programs," has experienced a meteoric rise to fame. According to CoinTelegraph, Collins Dictionary selected it as the word of the year due to its unparalleled growth, asserting itself as the central theme of conversations in 2023.
Even during 2022, we have seen that the usage of the word "AI" had quadrupled. It only means that more people are becoming aware of its existence. They want their curiosity to be fed so they consume digital resources to know more about the term.
Collins Dictionary's decision to crown "AI" was made after careful consideration of new terms that capture the essence of our evolving language and contemporary concerns. These include "greedflation," a concept describing the use of inflation to artificially hike prices for corporate profits, and "debanking," which refers to the act of depriving individuals of banking facilities.
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Other Notable Entries in Collins Dictionary
Aside from AI, the list of notable words for 2023 also includes "Nepo baby," a term for the offspring of celebrities whose careers are thought to flourish due to their famous parents, per The Guardian.
Another intriguing addition is "deinfluencing," defined as the act of using social media to caution followers against specific commercial products and lifestyle choices.
2023 was marked by heightened health consciousness. The term "ultra-processed," referring to food prepared using complex industrial methods with little to no nutritional value, gained significant traction. "Semaglutide," an appetite-suppressing medication, also made its presence felt, with its usage tripling over a year.
Meanwhile, the acronym "Ulez," representing "ultra-low emissions zone," found a place in the list, pointing to an area in central London where polluting vehicles face restrictions. The growing commitment to environmental sustainability is evident in the acceptance of this term.
"Bazball," inspired by Brendon "Baz" McCullum, a former New Zealand cricketer and coach, characterizes a style of test cricket emphasizing aggressive batting. On the cultural front, the term "canon event," denoting an episode essential to an individual's character or identity, gained popularity thanks to the movie "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."
AI is Definitely the Most Used Word of 2023
Alex Beecroft, the Managing Director of Collins, affirmed that "AI" was undoubtedly the highlight of 2023. As he noted, "AI has quickly become as ubiquitous and embedded in our lives as email, streaming, or any other once-futuristic, now everyday technology."
The conversation surrounding artificial intelligence continues to evolve, shaping our world in ways that we couldn't have foreseen, making it the deserving word of the year.
Read Also: Human Input on AI Used in Public Services Can Boost Citizens' Acceptance, New Study Shows
