GNAI Visual Synopsis: An illustration of a person navigating a maze of interconnected screens, symbolizing the search for authenticity and truth in the digital age.
One-Sentence Summary
Merriam-Webster has chosen “authentic” as the word of the year for 2023, reflecting the impact of artificial intelligence and social media on the search for truth and genuineness in society. Read The Full Article
Key Points
- 1. “Authentic” was chosen as the word of the year in response to the increase in searches driven by discussions on AI, celebrity culture, identity, and social media.
- 2. Other top contenders for the word of the year included “deepfake,” “indict,” “X (formerly Twitter),” “implode,” “kibbutz,” “dystopian,” “coronation,” and “rizz.”.
- 3. The increased searches for these words were linked to significant events or concerns throughout the year, such as the AI-related deepfake controversy, Trump’s indictments, Musk’s influence on social media platforms, and global issues like climate change and geopolitical tensions.
Key Insight
The selection of “authentic” as the word of the year, along with the spikes in searches for the other contenders, reflects the impact of technology, politics, and global events on public discourse and the quest for truth and meaning in a rapidly changing world.
Why This Matters
This article highlights the tangible influence of technology, celebrity culture, political developments, and global issues on language and public interest, showing how societal concerns and impactful events shape the discourse and vocabulary of the year.
Notable Quote
“The line between ‘real’ and ‘fake’ has become increasingly blurred. As a result, in social media and marketing, ‘authentic’ has become the gold standard for building trust—and authenticity, ironically, has become a performance.” – Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster’s editor at large.
