The abbreviation for artificial intelligence (AI) has been declared the Collins Word of the Year for 2023, according to the dictionary publisher. Lexicographers at Collins Dictionary noted that the use of this term had seen a significant surge, making it the dominant topic of discussion in 2023.

Collins managing director, Alex Beecroft, highlighted how AI has rapidly evolved to become as commonplace in our lives as email or streaming, with a substantial impact on various aspects of society.

The selection of the Collins Word of the Year was based on analysis from the Collins Corpus, a vast database containing over 20 billion words sourced from websites, newspapers, magazines, and books worldwide. This database also incorporates spoken language from radio, TV, and everyday conversations, continuously updating to help dictionary editors track new words and their meanings as they emerge.

Beecroft emphasized that the prominence of ‘AI’ in 2023 was unquestionable, backed by its observation in the Collins Corpus.

Collins’ list of notable words for the year also includes “nepo baby,” referring to the offspring of celebrities who have succeeded in industries similar to their famous parents. “Greedflation,” describing companies profiting during a cost-of-living crisis, and “Ulez,” signifying the ultra-low emission zone penalizing high-polluting car drivers in London, were among the noteworthy terms.

Social media-related words such as “deinfluencing” or “de-influencing,” indicating the act of advising followers to avoid specific commercial products, were also recognized by Collins.

The term “Bazball” gained attention during the Ashes cricket series between England and Australia this summer. It denotes the cricket philosophy endorsed by New Zealand cricketer and coach Brendon McCullum, known as Baz, characterized by a relaxed mindset, aggressive strategies, and a positive approach.

In 2022, the Collins Word of the Year was “permacrisis,” defined as an extended period of instability and insecurity, while “lockdown” claimed the title in 2020, and “Brexit” in 2016.