Merriam-Webster has crowned “slop” its 2025 word of the year, a telling indicator of the burgeoning apprehension surrounding artificial intelligence. The dictionary now defines “slop” as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence,” a stark evolution from its traditional connotations of “product of little value” or “food waste fed to animals.”
This linguistic shift mirrors a palpable trend across digital landscapes. Mainstream social networks have been inundated with AI-generated content, some of which has achieved viral status. For instance, a video depicting a bizarre creature transforming through various nightmarish forms within a busy mall reportedly garnered over 362 million views on Meta platforms.
The tech industry’s embrace of generative AI for content creation is accelerating. In September, Meta introduced Vibes, a dedicated feed for AI-generated videos, shortly after OpenAI unveiled its Sora app. These platforms, alongside established players like TikTok and YouTube, are increasingly becoming breeding grounds for what is now being termed AI “slop.” This content, while often of dubious quality, can generate significant engagement and, consequently, revenue.
The music industry is also grappling with the implications. Spotify announced in September that it had removed over 75 million AI-generated, “spammy tracks” and implemented formal policies to safeguard artists against AI impersonation and deception. This move followed considerable criticism after an artist, The Velvet Sundown, amassed a million monthly listeners without initially disclosing their use of generative AI. The artist later updated their bio to clarify it was a “synthetic music project.”
This growing unease appears to be reflected in user behavior as well. According to CNBC’s latest All-America Economic Survey, released on December 15, the adoption of AI platforms like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini has seen a slight decline in recent months compared to the summer. Only 48% of respondents reported using AI platforms in the last two to three months, a dip from 53% in August. This suggests a potential recalibration of user enthusiasm as the novelty of AI wears off and concerns about content quality and authenticity come to the fore. The proliferation of AI-generated content, often indistinguishable from human-created material and sometimes lacking substance, is prompting a more critical examination of its value and impact.
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