Scientists have found that artificial intelligence is reshaping the way people talk.
Researchers at the University of Florida found that adults are increasingly weaving ChatGPT-style vocabulary into everyday speech, favoring words like ‘surpass,’ ‘boast,’ ‘meticulous,’ ‘strategically’ and ‘garner.’
The team analyzed 22.1 million words from unscripted and spontaneous spoken language, including conversational podcasts on science and technology.
They discovered that nearly three-quarters of AI-associated words have surged in use since ChatGPT’s release in 2022, with some more than doubling in frequency.
Crucially, the increases were not mirrored in synonymous words, suggesting the change stems directly from AI influence rather than natural linguistic evolution.
Experts are now sounding the alarm about the findings, saying AI is decreasing language diversity and causing a single dominant language.
‘Everyone sounds polished, templated, safe, but at the expense of tone, texture, and authenticity,’ Colin Cooper, a human behavior analyst, told Newsweek.
‘It’s not that we’re copying AI; we are letting AI rewrite us into the same beige, efficient mold, and that’s the subtle erosion of individuality that should worry us most.’
A new study has found that AI buzzwords are becoming common, which could decrease language diversity
Unlike past vocabulary surges triggered by major events or cultural trends, this shift appears to be fueled directly by technology rather than outside circumstances, Newsweek reported.
Principal investigator Tom Juzek said: ‘This research focuses on a central issue in the discourse surrounding AI and language: are these language changes happening because we’re using a tool and repeating what it suggests, or is language changing because AI is influencing the human language system?
‘By analyzing lexical trends before and after ChatGPT was released in 2022, we found a convergence between human word choices and LLM-associated patterns with AI buzzwords.’
Although sudden increases in the use of certain words, such as ‘Omicron,’ a COVID variant, typically reflect real-world events, recent trends suggest something different.
The widespread adoption of chat-based large language models appears to be driving notable upticks in words such as ‘delve’ and’ intricate,’ particularly within education and academic writing.
‘The changes we are seeing in spoken language are pretty remarkable, especially when compared to historical trends,’ Juzek said.
‘What stands out is the breadth of change: so many words are showing notable increases over a relatively short period. Given that these are all words typically overused by AI, it seems plausible to conjecture a link.’
Although these AI buzzwords are typically associated with formal or academic language and are less common in casual speech, researchers found that nearly three-quarters of them have risen in usage, with some more than doubling in frequency.
Following the release of ChatGPT, researchers observed a noticeable rise in the use of AI-associated buzzwords, while their synonyms showed little change.
For instance, the term ‘underscore’ spiked in usage, whereas its synonym ‘accentuate’ did not.
The team suggested this indicated AI is not just a tool people use, as its language is actively seeping into everyday speech, a phenomenon they describe as a ‘seep-in effect.’
Bryce Anderson, the paper’s lead author, said: ‘Language is the most powerful medium of communication that humanity has, and understanding how AI will affect this medium is fundamentally important and timely.
‘My motivation to pursue this research stems from seeing AI push the limits of what’s possible in major industries and realizing that this influence isn’t just limited to tool usage — it can condition societal aspects, including how we use language.’
