Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been declared the “Word of the Year” for 2023 by Collins Dictionary, underscoring the significant influence this technology has wielded over global conversations throughout the year. The announcement comes as the use of the term “AI” quadrupled in 2023, showcasing its remarkable rise in societal prominence.
Collins Dictionary made the decision after noting the escalating discussions around whether AI would be a force for revolutionary good or apocalyptic destruction. AI has rapidly embedded itself in our daily lives, becoming as ubiquitous as email, streaming services, and other once-futuristic technologies, according to Collins managing director Alex Beecroft.
“We know that AI has been a big focus this year in the way that it has developed and has quickly become as ubiquitous and embedded in our lives as email, streaming, or any other once futuristic, now everyday technology,” Beecroft said.
AI’s selection as the Word of the Year reflects the profound impact of the technology on our rapidly evolving world, where innovation and transformation are driven by the power of algorithms and data. The technology has touched various aspects of society, from healthcare and finance to entertainment and transportation.
The Word of the Year typically reflects the preoccupations of the time, with 2022’s choice being “permacrisis” in reference to the constant political upheavals in British politics. In previous years, “NFTs” (non-fungible tokens), “lockdown” and “Brexit” dominated conversations.
