Word of the Year for 2023

Blog By: Priyanka Rana

The Cambridge Dictionary has chosen “hallucinate” as its Word of the Year for 2023, citing the additional meaning gained in the context of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Bard, that use large language models (LLMs).

Key Points

1. Original Definition: “To seem to see, hear, feel, or smell something that does not exist, usually because of a health condition or because you have taken a drug.” This was the previous definition of “hallucinate” in the Cambridge Dictionary.
2. New Meaning in 2023: The Cambridge Dictionary has expanded the definition to include the context of artificial intelligence, stating, “When an artificial intelligence hallucinates, it produces false information.”
3. Generative AI and Hallucinations: Generative AI tools, particularly those using large language models, have gained attention. The term “hallucinate” is applied to instances where AI produces false or inaccurate information, often due to deficiencies and limitations in the training data.
4. AI Learning from Data: Large language models learn from vast amounts of data, attempting to recreate human thought and linguistic expression. However, their reliability is limited by the quality and accuracy of the training data.
5. Real-World Consequences: AI-generated hallucinations can have real-world consequences. For example, a US law firm using ChatGPT for legal research cited fictitious cases in court, leading to a $5,000 fine.
6. Word of the Year Decision: The Cambridge Dictionary team selects the Word of the Year based on data regarding words that saw popular usage and cultural salience in the given year. The choice of “hallucinate” reflects the growing discourse around generative AI and the need to understand its potential strengths and current weaknesses.
7. AI Interaction: The decision to choose “hallucinate” as the Word of the Year recognizes the challenges and opportunities in interacting with generative AI safely and effectively, emphasizing the importance of awareness regarding its capabilities and limitations.