“AGI,” “compute” as a noun, and “uncanny valley” are just a few of the latest words to be officially recognized by the dictionary publisher. Merriam-Webster just officially recognized 1,400 new words, and they bring the lexicon of the AI era into the dictionary.
Merriam-Webster’s new words say a lot about our AI doomsday fears
Why This Matters
Merriam-Webster's addition of AI-era terms like 'AGI,' 'compute,' and 'uncanny valley' reflects how deeply artificial intelligence has permeated everyday language and public consciousness. This linguistic shift signals that AI concepts once confined to tech circles are now mainstream enough to require formal definition, underscoring growing public anxiety and curiosity about AI's capabilities and risks.
Key Takeaways
- Merriam-Webster added 1,400 new words, including AI-specific terms like 'AGI' and 'compute' as a noun.
- The inclusion of terms like 'uncanny valley' shows how AI concepts are becoming part of everyday vocabulary.
- The dictionary update reflects broader cultural fascination and unease with AI's rapid advancement.
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