The piece credits Ilana Keller, a distinguished New Jersey journalist, for authoring the article.

Industry players embrace AI-driven content, including Meta and OpenAI video streams and high-profile partnerships like Disney/OpenAI on Sora-generated content tied to a significant equity stake.

Merriam-Webster named “slop” the 2025 word of the year, signaling the year’s AI-generated content clutter and concerns about low-quality digital material.

The article points to real-world concerns such as manipulated images used in politics and content that faced platform removals or condemnation.

The overall tone blends concern with cautious optimism about a shift toward valuing authentic, high-quality content.

The selection and related definitions reflect a trend toward timely, culturally resonant terms rather than purely linguistic favorites, with emphasis on how AI shapes online life.

Slop is framed as a mocking stance toward AI, suggesting it may not replace human creativity despite rising AI capabilities.

The discussion contrasts Merriam-Webster’s data-driven approach with broader debates about AI in work, social media, and the ethics of authentic versus AI-generated content.

Overall, the piece highlights a 2025 tension between moderating AI content and its expansive use across entertainment and tech platforms.

Editor’s note and affiliate disclosures accompany the piece, with brief promotions and Amazon affiliate links.

Platforms are increasingly offering ways to curb AI-heavy feeds, with examples across TikTok, Pinterest, and Spotify addressing AI slop and related copycat incidents.

Time magazine named the Architects of AI as its 2025 Person of the Year, underscoring AI’s profound influence.