The Macquarie Dictionary has announced “AI slop” as its word of the year for 2025.
The term refers to low-quality content created by generative AI which often contains errors.
Every year, the Macquarie Dictionary brings together a select committee to discuss new words and definitions that have entered its dictionary over the year.
AI Slop has been named the Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year. (Sydney Morning Herald)
The committee this year was comprised of the Macquarie Dictionary editorial team, radio host and writer David Astle, and language research specialist Tiger Webb.
“We understand now in 2025 what we mean by slop, AI-generated slop, which lacks meaningful content or use,” the committee said.
“The question is, are the people ingesting and regurgitating this content soon to be called AI sloppers?”
The committee’s honourable mentions included “clanker”, a usually derogatory term used to describe an AI-driven robot that completes tasks normally performed by a human.
Medical misogyny was also nominated, which is the entrenched prejudice against females in the context of medical treatment and knowledge, especially in the area of reproductive health.
The word of the year often reflects societal change throughout the year.