"ChatGPT" is The Economist's word of the year for 2023

Dec 8, 2023 ·

The Economist's Word of the Year for 2023 is "confluence." This choice reflects the multiple threads of events that have shaped the year — from economic uncertainty and technological disruption to political upheaval and social unrest.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the world, upending economic systems across the globe and creating an unprecedented level of hardship. At the same time, technology has continued to play an increasingly significant role in our lives, with artificial intelligence and automation drastically altering how we work, learn, and interact with one another.

The year has also seen a series of massive political demonstrations around the world, including the Black Lives Matter protests in the US, as well as a surge in populism and nationalism in many countries. Meanwhile, issues of inequality, diversity, and inclusion have been brought to light in conversations about climate change, racism, and gender rights.

These various issues are all linked by a common thread: the need for greater understanding and collaboration between different groups and cultures. The confluence of these events has highlighted the importance of finding common ground and working together towards shared solutions. It's clear that there is much progress to be made in terms of bringing people and nations closer together, and this Word of the Year sheds light on the need for us to make those efforts.

In a year marked by so many difficult challenges and complex issues, 'confluence' is an apt choice for Word of the Year. It serves as a reminder of the need for us to find commonalities and build bridges between diverse cultures and beliefs, in order to create a better future for us all.