Creators of English language dictionaries are unveiling their picks for the term of the year as 2023 draws to a close. These selections are typically based on prevalent usage, recent trends, or personal insights.
AI
The American publisher Collins has named “Artificial” as its term of the year for 2023. The abbreviation “AI,” standing for “artificial intelligence,” pertains to “computer programs that simulate human cognitive functions.”
The integration of AI into everyday life is on the rise. For instance, The Beatles collaborated with AI to release a song just this year. National toy manufacturer Mattel now employs AI to design new toys. An AI-powered Kuwaiti media company created a virtual female news anchor named “Fedha.” Moreover, AI has been instrumental in identifying a meteor that could potentially pose a threat to Earth.
One prominent AI project is ChatGPT, a system capable of authoring books, generating images, and engaging in dialogue. The software leverages a vast array of written works, online references, and multimedia for learning purposes.
While it can produce text resembling human writing, there are instances where the output is inaccurate or nonsensical. Users often describe the phenomenon as AI “hallucinating” information.
The image captured on February 2, 2023, in New York originates from the ChatGPT segment of the OpenAI platform. (AP Photo/File/Richard Drew)
Hallucinate
The term selected as the word of the year by the English dictionary publisher Cambridge is “hallucinate.” This term encapsulates the essence of current discussions around AI.
To “hallucinate” means to perceive, hear, feel, or smell something that isn’t real. However, in the context of AI, it signifies the generation of false data.
According to Cambridge, “generative AI is a powerful tool, yet we are still navigating the proper and safe utilization of it.” The publisher emphasizes that AI hallucinations underscore the necessity for individuals to apply critical thinking when utilizing such resources.
This image from Merriam-Webster showcases an authentic online dictionary entry. Webster via AP- Merriam
Authentic
The British publisher Merriam-Webster has designated “authentic” as its word of the year.
In 2023, there has been a noticeable surge in searches for “authentic,” driven by discussions on AI, celebrity culture, identity, and social media, as per Merriam-Webster. The term encompasses meanings such as “genuine or original,” true to one’s character, and “not counterfeit.”
With the proliferation of artificial intelligence, the line between “real” and “fake” has become increasingly blurred, according to Merriam-Webster.
Merriam-Webster also considered words like “deepfake,” “coronation,” “indict,” and “rizz” for this distinction.
Reporters at the Oxford dictionary opted to let language enthusiasts decide the Word of the Year.
After tallying over 30,000 votes, four finalists emerged: “Swiftie” (fans of Taylor Swift), “situationship” (a casual romantic or sexual relationship), “prompt” (an instruction given to an AI program), and “rizz.”
For those unfamiliar with the term “rizz,” it has been crowned the term of the year by Oxford. It is believed to have originated from “charisma” and signifies having “style, elegance, or appeal.” It can also denote the ability to attract a romantic partner, particularly among Generation Z, born in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
“Rizz” can also function as a verb. To “rizz up” is to “charm, seduce, or engage in flirtatious conversation with (someone).”
Readers of Oxford view “rizz” as a fascinating example of how language evolves, shapes, and spreads within societies before gaining wider acceptance globally.
