AI comes top place for word of 2023 - 1st Jan 2024

2023 was a year full of new words, but Sensations English chose AI (Artificial Intelligence) as the word of the year, for its overall importance.

AI - the use of machine or software intelligence - has been around since the 1950s. In March 2023, ChatGPT 4, a virtual assistant, became available. It's trained by using finished products such as literature, artwork and movies. AI programmes process the data and then form their own stories, articles, videos and even jokes at great speed.

Shortly after ChatGPT was released, shocked tech experts like Elon Musk sent a letter to developers and asked for all major AI experiments to stop.

Since then, thousands of images which were produced by AI have spread on social media. Several of these are images of celebrities, for example, Taylor Swift was recreated as a man with a moustache. As many artists didn't agree to this use, these images have, in their eyes, been 'stolen'.

Another issue relates to the jobs that AI can carry out. Reporters, lawyers' assistants, business people and teachers are now at risk of losing their jobs to AI.

In creative industries, AI can be a valuable help. In October 2023, Hollywood writers who'd been on strike, finally started working again. The argument was about pay and the use of AI. It was agreed that writers could actually use ChatGPT to develop material, but they couldn't be replaced by AI.

AI has already had a huge effect. The question is, will it make our lives better or worse?