The Rise of the Machines: Using AI as a Tool, Not a Human Replacement

Every January, publishers release their “Word of the Year,” a tradition started in the 1990s by the American Dialect Society. These words offer a snapshot of the news, popular culture, and public sentiment of the moment. In 2025, many of the top words reflected our evolving relationship with artificial intelligence.

Some, like “agentic” and “clanker,” are older terms whose meanings have shifted. Others, such as “vibe coding” and “AI slop,” are newer additions to the cultural lexicon. Just like the technology itself, the language surrounding AI is evolving in real time.

The word “agentic” was traditionally used in psychology and sociology to describe human agency or free will. Its recent rise in popularity, however, is tied to advances in AI systems that can perform tasks autonomously and make independent decisions—so-called agentic AI. These systems blur the line between human and machine initiation. While many people are fascinated by the potential of machines that can learn and decide on their own, others are uneasy about what it truly means to hand over decision-making power to algorithms.

A similar tension is reflected in the rise of the term “clanker,” which emerged as a viral label for AI in mid-2025. Borrowed from science fiction, where it once referred to literal robots, “clanker” has been repurposed as a disparaging term for modern digital bots, chatbots, and other nonhuman technologies. Its popularity mirrors a growing unease about AI’s expanding role in society.

One striking example is the public reaction to Tilly Norwood, billed as the world’s first artificial actress. The production company behind her claimed AI actors could reduce production costs by as much as 90%, particularly by replacing background actors. Her creator also announced plans to develop dozens more “diverse characters” to populate Tilly’s fictional universe. While some view this as an exciting innovation, others question both the demand for AI actors and the ethical implications—particularly around labor, likeness rights, and creative responsibility. At once humorous and hostile, “clanker” captures the 2025 cultural moment, where novelty and fascination collide with fear and resentment.

Artificial intelligence is undeniably polarizing. Alongside resistance and skepticism, many developers and engineers see AI as a powerful tool—one that enables humans to process vast amounts of data, perform complex computations in a fraction of the time, and unlock discoveries that were previously beyond our computing limits.

The term “vibe coding,” introduced in early 2025, reflects this optimism. It describes AI-assisted software development, which has rapidly become embedded across the industry. The widespread integration of AI into existing systems signals not only a demand for efficiency, but also rising expectations from users accustomed to faster, smarter tools.

Education has been another major flashpoint. Schools and universities continue to grapple with generative AI in the classroom, where digitally savvy students often use it to bypass time-consuming tasks like essay writing and research. Estimates suggest up to60% of high school and university students have used generative AI for assignments. While institutions have turned to detection software, AI-generated content is becoming increasingly sophisticated—and harder to identify.

This brings us to “AI slop.” Often shortened to slop, the term refers to low-effort, poor-quality, or superficial digital content created using AI. Once easy to spot, slop has grown more subtle as tools improve. Initially embraced by businesses as a way to replace costly staff, it’s now being called out by increasingly savvy consumers who can recognize inauthentic or low-quality output. Coined in the 2020s, the term carries a pejorative meaning similar to spam, and in 2025 it was named Word of the Year by both Merriam-Webster and the American Dialect Society.

So, given all of this, howcan businesses take advantage of AI’s benefits—improving workflows andstrengthening brands—without being swept away by the anti-AI undertow?

Here are a few principlesto consider.

Use AI for planning and structure.
AI excels at recognizing patterns and generating templates that already work.Use it to create roadmaps, outlines, and project frameworks—especially when starting something new or breaking out of a creative rut. Think of it as a wayto avoid reinventing the wheel.

Put AI to work on research and synthesis.
AI can quickly summarize large reports, pull insights from multiple sources, orcondense complex information into something more manageable. That said, never rely on AI output without review. These tools are only as good as the data theyconsume, and human judgment is essential.

Draft with AI, refine with humans.
Letting AI generate a first draft or suggest alternative tones and levels of formality can be incredibly helpful. But real-world experience, context, and emotional intelligence are what give content authenticity. Consumers are increasingly good at spotting machine-written content—and no brand wants to be accused of producing slop.

Avoid over-reliance on AI.
To keep AI working for you rather than instead of you, consider these strategies:

• Think first, ask later. Try solving the problem on your own before turning to AI.
• Use AI as a tutor or coach. Ask it to explain concepts or walk through logic instead of simply doing the work.
• Set personal rules. For example, “AI for ideation only” or “no AI until I’ve tried.”
• Critique and verify. Treat AI output as a draft, not a final answer.
• Break down complex problems. Let AI assist with pieces while you make the key strategic decisions.
• Focus on the “why.” Ask AI to explain reasoning or compare alternatives to deepen understanding.
• Practice without AI. Engage in discussions, workshops, and decision-making where AI isn’t present.
• Track your weak spots. Notice where you rely on AI most—those are opportunities for growth.

Used thoughtfully, AI isn’t a replacement for human skill or creativity. It’s a powerful tool—one that works best when paired with critical thinking, experience, and a strong human voice.