The Collins dictionary has declared Artificial Intelligence (AI) as its Word of the Year for 2023. The dictionary defines AI as the modeling of human mental functions by computer programs. This word was chosen due to the rapid development and media coverage AI has seen in 2023, as it is expected to be the “next great technological revolution.”
Other interesting words from Collins’ shortlist include “de-influencing”, which is when an influencer uses their online presence to discourage their followers from certain products or lifestyle choices. “Debanking”, meaning the act of depriving someone of banking facilities, made the list as well. This was due to a controversy surrounding UK populist politician Nigel Farage, who claimed his Coutts bank account was closed due to his political affiliation. This issue was brought to the public attention with many others coming forward to complain of the same.
The dictionary also included the term “greedflation”, a combination of “greed” and “inflation”, which is when businesses raise prices excessively in order to increase their profits. This term is strongly linked to the UK’s current living crisis, as the U.S. is currently facing an inflation rate of 3.7%.
Overall, the Collins dictionary’s Word of the Year for 2023 is a fitting reflection of the current times, and a reminder that the world is continuously evolving.
