The rise of artificial intelligence has transformed how digital content is created, but not always for the better. As AI-generated material floods social media and search engines, concerns over quality have grown — so much so that a leading dictionary has officially recognized the issue.

On Sunday, Merriam-Webster announced that “slop” is their Word of the Year for 2025. The term has gained popularity as a descriptor for the overwhelming wave of low-quality, AI-produced content that often lacks coherence or originality. The dictionary defines slop as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.”

According to Merriam-Webster’s president Greg Barlow, the choice reflects both the technological shift and society’s mixed feelings about it. “It’s such an illustrative word,” Barlow said. “It captures the fascination, frustration, and sometimes ridicule that AI-driven content evokes.”

Experts warn that while AI tools can boost productivity, they also risk flooding the internet with “slop,” diluting the value of genuine information. As AI continues to evolve, the debate over content quality remains urgent for users and creators alike.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.