Science & Tech · AI · 1 day ago
AI Is Changing Language and the Meaning of Familiar Words
Artificial intelligence and other digital technologies are changing how people use language.
Words such as “bot,” “swarm” and “superintelligence” have taken on meanings linked to technology.
The article also describes psychology terms, including attention, empathy and cognitive load, as part of the language used to discuss AI and media.
These terms can help explain how technology affects people’s thoughts, feelings and behavior.
The author argues that AI itself has no feelings, and that human responses drive its social effects.
The article says professional associations can influence shared meanings and voluntary standards, even when those standards are not laws.
It argues that cooperation on such standards can make communication clearer and more precise.
AI is changing language by adding new terms, hybrid meanings and metaphors that affect how people communicate.
Psychology Today describes AI-speak as a blend of technical, emotional and cultural language.
The article says these changes can make technology and AI seem more relatable and easier to understand.
It also argues that psychology can help explain human responses to AI and its effects on behavior and society.
The author says professional associations influence language and de facto standards, and calls for voluntary cooperation to support clear communication.
- Who
- People who use and communicate about AI, as well as professional associations that influence language and standards.
- What
- AI is influencing language, changing the use and meaning of words and contributing new terms and formations.
- When
- The article says these changes have been developing over the past few decades.
- Where
- In communication about technology and AI, including online and media contexts.
- Why
- The article says new language can make AI easier to understand and that clear communication requires understanding human responses and shared standards.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The technology has no feelings.
It is the human response that drives the technology and human behaviors.
technology drives the how, and media and communications psychology explains the why.
voluntary cooperation in the establishment of de facto standards is an imperative for effective, clear, and precise communication.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Examples of new terms
- Crowdsourcing, bot, swarm, hashtag and superintelligence
- Media psychology terms
- Attention, addiction, emotion, empathy and persuasion
- Other terms listed
- Social identity, self-efficacy, cognitive load, media effects and cultural influence
- Standard described
- A de facto standard is a guideline followed by a group of users
- Publication date
- 2026-10-10
Sources
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