New words – 29 July 2024

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decel noun [C]
/ˈdiːsel/
someone who believes that AI and other new technologies are developing so quickly that they are likely to cause very serious problems and that progress should be deliberately slowed down

Another group of tech folks who matter in the AI debate are sometimes called the “decels.” Of course, decels are often denizens of the tech world, too. For example, earlier this year, a bunch of tech folks, including Elon Musk, signed an open letter proposing a pause in AI research past the level of GPT-4. The decels are still in favor of building new AI tech; they just want to be more careful about it.
[techcrunch.com, 20 November 2023]

slop noun [U]
UK /slɒp/ US /slɑːp/
AI-generated content that is unwanted and of poor quality

Your email inbox is full of spam. Your letterbox is full of junk mail. Now, your web browser has its own affliction: slop. “Slop” is what you get when you shove artificial intelligence-generated material up on the web for anyone to view. Unlike a chatbot, the slop isn’t interactive, and is rarely intended to actually answer readers’ questions or serve their needs.
[theguardian.com, 19 May 2024]

e/acc noun [U]
/ˌiːˈæk/
abbreviation for effective accelerationism: a movement that believes AI and other new technologies should be allowed to develop as quickly as possible without any restrictions

E/acc, as it’s known online, represents an obscure but growing movement that has made progress — specifically accelerated technological progress — its moral mission … Many of e/acc’s proponents are venture capitalists, founders, and engineers who would happen to benefit financially from technology’s accelerated progress.
[ca.style.yahoo.com, 5 January 2024]

See also accelerationism

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