'Slop' Is Merriam-Webster's 2025 Word of the Year as AI Content Floods the Internet

Merriam-Webster has designated 'Slop' as the Word of the Year for 2025, reflecting the increasing prevalence of low-quality AI-generated content on the internet. This term encapsulates the growing concern over the impact of artificial intelligence on content creation, particularly as it relates to the dilution of quality in digital media.

Experts predict that 2026 may be the year when artificial intelligence (AI) finally delivers tangible returns on investment (ROI) for businesses, as companies increasingly commit to integrating AI into their operations. This shift comes after years of mixed results, with many organizations still grappling with the effectiveness of their AI initiatives.

Merriam-Webster has declared 'Slop' as the word of the year, a designation that reflects the overwhelming amount of low-quality content proliferating on the internet, largely attributed to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the programming landscape, allowing AI to write software and prompting programmers to adapt their skills. This shift suggests that programmers are not obsolete but rather have their toolkits upgraded, enabling them to focus on more complex tasks and creative problem-solving.

Google has introduced an AI Mode that generates recipes by amalgamating instructions from various creators, leading to significant misrepresentation of original recipes and a decline in ad traffic for recipe writers. This has raised concerns about the impact of AI on content creators' livelihoods, with some describing the situation as an 'extinction event.'

A recent survey indicates that a growing number of CEOs are planning to increase their spending on artificial intelligence (AI) despite experiencing mixed results from previous investments. This trend reflects a slight uptick in optimism among corporate leaders as economic outlooks become less favorable.

HyprLabs is making strides in the autonomous vehicle industry by developing self-driving car software that leverages recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). The startup aims to create technology that not only accelerates the development process but also ensures safety in autonomous driving systems.

A recent survey by Teneo indicates that 68% of chief executives plan to increase their spending on artificial intelligence (AI) in 2026, despite mixed returns on previous investments. This trend highlights a growing commitment among corporate leaders to leverage AI technologies for future growth.