Merriam-Webster has named "authentic" as its Word of the Year for 2023, The Associated Press reported on Monday. The choice of, a result of a spike in searches for the word online, underscores a deep-seated shift and a yearning for genuineness, the outlet explained, as society faces increasingly complex challenges posed by an era marked by deepfakes, post-truth narratives, and the rise of artificial intelligence.
The heightened interest in the term throughout 2023 reflects what editor at large Peter Sokolowski describes as a "crisis of authenticity." In an exclusive interview with AP, Sokolowski highlighted the evolving dynamics of trust in an age where skepticism surrounds everything from student papers to political statements.
