Merriam-Webster declares 'slop' its word of the year in nod to growth of AI

In a notable announcement, Merriam-Webster has named "slop" as its word of the year for 2025, highlighting a growing apprehension about the quality of artificial intelligence-generated material. The dictionary now defines slop as "digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence." Traditionally, the term has been associated with items of little value or waste, particularly in the context of food. However, as AI-generated content floods mainstream social media platforms, the term has taken on new significance. For instance, a video depicting a surreal transformation of a creature into a spider and then into a bizarre giraffe has reportedly garnered over 362 million views across Meta applications, illustrating the viral nature of such content. In response to the increasing prevalence of AI slop, platforms like Meta have introduced dedicated feeds for AI-generated videos, such as the recent launch of Vibes. Additionally, OpenAI has debuted its Sora app, which further contributes to the surge of AI-generated media. Services like TikTok and YouTube are also experiencing a similar influx, where even low-quality content can yield substantial engagement and revenue. Spotify has recently faced challenges as well, announcing the removal of over 75 million AI-generated tracks deemed "spammy." The company is implementing new policies to safeguard artists against AI impersonation and misinformation. This comes after the controversy surrounding The Velvet Sundown, which attracted a million monthly listeners without initially disclosing its use of generative AI, only to later clarify its identity as a synthetic music project. Moreover, the latest All-America Economic Survey from CNBC indicates a decline in the usage of popular AI platforms like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini. The survey revealed that only 48% of respondents reported recent use of these platforms, a decrease from 53% in August. As concerns about AI-generated content continue to grow, the dialogue surrounding its impact is more crucial than ever.