From AI Slop to Rage Bait, 2025’s Words Expose the Age of Outrage, Algorithms, and Parasocial Life. 

If you want to understand 2025, skip the speeches and read the vocabulary. This was a year when language didn’t just describe reality—it documented a world rewired by platforms, generative AI, and the emotional economics of outrage. The “Words of the Year” chosen by dictionaries and news outlets weren’t uplifting slogans. They were caution signs.

Cambridge Dictionary pointed to “parasocial,” a term once reserved for celebrity fandom that now includes relationships people form with artificial intelligence. In a year shaped by personalized chatbots, public debate widened from influencers and pop stars to the psychological gravity of AI companions—especially for younger users, who can slide from curiosity into dependency without even noticing the slope.

Oxford University Press went with “rage bait,” content engineered to provoke anger and inflate engagement. It’s the business model of the modern feed: outrage sparks interaction, algorithms amplify it, and people end up mentally exhausted. Oxford’s framing was blunt: paired with last year’s “brain rot,” the concept captures a cycle in which the platforms don’t merely host bad behavior—they reward it.

Other contenders tracked adjacent obsessions. “Aura farming” described the subtle performance of charisma as a form of currency—polishing an online persona until it looks effortless. “Biohack” captured the drive to optimize the body and mind through routines, devices, and supplements. Collins ultimately chose “vibe coding,” a term for a new style of programming where you describe what you want and let machines translate it into code—less “variables and syntax,” more “intent and vibes.” A derogatory term, “clanker,” also floated through shortlists, reflecting how quickly annoyance at machines can harden into cultural slang.

Then came the truly generational wildcard. Dictionary.com leaned into “67” (“six-seven”), a piece of youth slang that even adults can’t reliably decode. Depending on who you ask, it can mean “so-so,” “maybe,” or simply a way to frustrate parents. The meaning almost doesn’t matter; the function does. It’s a reminder that language is also a gatekeeping tool—especially for Gen Alpha, which treats confusion as a feature, not a bug.

Australia’s Macquarie Dictionary chose the term that may haunt the decade: “AI slop”—low-quality content churned out by generative systems, often error-filled and frequently unwanted. If search made everyone a “search engineer,” the slop era demands people become “prompt engineers” just to filter reality from noise. Merriam-Webster and The Economist echoed the same unease, with The Economist even floating “sloptimism”—the idea that platform overload might finally force serious moderation or drive users away.

But the piece turns sharply toward what happens when toxic content isn’t just annoying—when it becomes dangerous. The author argues that slop, disinformation, cyberbullying, and extremist echo chambers create fertile ground for antisemitism and other hate crimes. In Israel, trauma from October 7, 2023 remains raw, while a “war of words” rages globally—where terms like “genocide,” “apartheid,” and “Holocaust” are deployed as weapons. The essay’s point is not that language is always harmless; it is that language can be a battlefield.

Even Hebrew, the text notes, is still searching for its 2025 word—though last year’s winner, “hatufim” (“hostages”), reflected national reality with painful clarity. Suggestions like “redeemed captive” capture a yearning for closure. The search for a word becomes a search for meaning.

That may be the quiet conclusion of 2025’s vocabulary: we are not just living through technological change, but through a struggle over attention, truth, and identity. The year’s standout words—parasocial, rage bait, AI slop—don’t merely define trends. They reveal what we were fighting, what we were becoming, and what we still don’t know how to control.

No SIM swap. No password theft. Just one click—and your WhatsApp is no longer yours. 

A new cyberattack dubbed “GhostPairing” is putting millions of WhatsApp users at risk, prompting an urgent high-priority warning from India’s national cyber watchdog.

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued an advisory alerting users to a stealthy attack that allows criminals to gain full, persistent access to a victim’s WhatsApp account—without logging them out, triggering alerts, or leaving visible traces.

Unlike traditional account takeovers involving SIM swapping or password compromise, GhostPairing exploits WhatsApp’s multi-device login feature, turning a legitimate function into a powerful surveillance tool.

How the GhostPairing Attack Works

The attack relies on social engineering, not technical hacking.

It often begins with a message from a trusted contact—usually a friend or family member whose account has already been compromised. The message may read:
“Did you see this photo?” or “Is this you in this video?”

The link appears to preview content from familiar platforms like Facebook or Instagram.

Once clicked, the victim is redirected to a convincing fake website. To view the content, the site asks the user to “Verify Identity via WhatsApp” and requests their mobile number.

Behind the scenes, the attacker enters that number into WhatsApp’s “Link with Phone Number” option on a separate device. WhatsApp then sends a real pairing code to the victim.

The fake site prompts the user to enter the code to “verify.”
By doing so, the victim unknowingly authorizes the attacker’s device as a Linked Device.

No alarms are triggered. The victim stays logged in. The attacker slips in unnoticed.

Why GhostPairing Is Especially Dangerous

CERT-In and cybersecurity experts warn this attack is far more dangerous than standard hacks:

The attacker can read all incoming and outgoing messages, including View Once media

Voice notes, photos, and files are fully accessible

Years of chat history can be synced within minutes

Attackers can impersonate the victim, message contacts, request emergency money, or spread malware

Because the victim is never logged out, the breach can persist indefinitely

In effect, the attacker becomes a ghost inside the account.

What Users Should Do Immediately

CERT-In has issued clear steps to reduce risk:

Check Linked Devices regularly:
Go to Settings → Linked Devices. If you see any browser or device you don’t recognize (e.g., “Chrome on Linux”), log it out immediately.

Never share pairing codes:
WhatsApp pairing codes should never be entered into websites. Only WhatsApp Web or Desktop uses QR codes or in-app linking.

Verify suspicious links offline:
If a friend sends a strange link, call them on a regular phone line to confirm before clicking.

Enable Two-Step Verification:
While not foolproof, a WhatsApp PIN adds friction that may disrupt some pairing attempts.

No Fix Yet From Meta

WhatsApp’s parent company Meta has not yet issued a public fix or security update addressing GhostPairing, raising concerns about the scale of potential abuse—especially in countries where WhatsApp is the primary communication platform.

For now, awareness is the strongest defense.

In the age of invisible cyber threats, one careless click can hand over your private conversations—without you ever realizing it happened.

Chinese President Xi Jinping seized the spotlight at the APEC leaders’ summit on Saturday, proposing the creation of a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization — a global body to regulate and coordinate AI development — in a move widely viewed as Beijing’s bid to challenge U.S. dominance over emerging technology governance.

Xi’s call, delivered at the meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, marks his first public endorsement of the initiative unveiled earlier this year.

“Artificial intelligence is of great significance for future development and should be made for the benefit of people in all countries and regions,” Xi said, according to China’s state-run Xinhua agency.

He framed AI as a “public good for the international community” and suggested the organization could be headquartered in Shanghai, positioning the city as a new global center for AI diplomacy.

The timing was no accident. U.S. President Donald Trump skipped the leaders’ plenary session, leaving for Washington after a one-on-one meeting with Xi that produced a one-year agreement to ease trade and technology restrictions — a modest détente in a rivalry that has defined global politics for much of the decade.

Xi’s absence of an American counterpart gave him the stage to promote China’s brand of “cooperative multilateralism” as a counterweight to Washington’s go-it-alone approach.

The proposed AI body underscores China’s ambition to shape the rules of the next technological frontier.

While Washington has resisted binding global regulation of AI, Beijing sees governance structures as a lever of influence — allowing it to standardize norms around data, algorithms, and safety protocols according to its own priorities.

Analysts say China hopes to export its model of “algorithmic sovereignty”, where state control over AI aligns with national security and industrial policy goals.

Beijing’s growing AI ecosystem provides tangible backing for that vision. U.S. chipmaker Nvidia remains indispensable to the global AI boom, but Chinese firms such as DeepSeek are rolling out competitive, lower-cost models optimized for locally produced hardware — a strategy that insulates China from U.S. export bans while advancing its technological self-reliance.

Beyond AI, Xi also urged APEC members to support the “free circulation of green technologies,” referencing sectors from batteries to solar panels — areas where Chinese firms already dominate global supply chains.

The summit concluded with the adoption of a joint declaration and agreements on AI governance and aging populations.

China will host the 2026 APEC summit in Shenzhen, a city Xi described as “a symbol of reform and innovation” that rose from fishing village to high-tech powerhouse in four decades.

By pushing for a global AI body and recasting China as a guardian of open cooperation, Xi is staking his claim to define the ethics and economics of artificial intelligence — and signaling that the contest with the United States has entered a new, algorithmic phase.

The ransomware attack that brought check-in systems to a halt at Heathrow, Berlin Brandenburg and Brussels airports this week was more than just another cyber incident. It was a warning shot — and one fired with the help of artificial intelligence.

Collins Aerospace, a key aviation systems provider owned by RTX, was the entry point. Once inside, the attackers crippled check-in and baggage services, grounding flights and stranding passengers across Europe. The European Union’s cybersecurity agency ENISA has confirmed the breach was ransomware — but the real story is how it was done.

Cybersecurity experts are blunt: AI has changed the game. No longer is hacking a slow burn carried out by lone wolves in basements. As Christian Perry of Undetectable AI put it, “AI can scan for weaknesses across huge systems in minutes and mimic user behavior so it doesn’t raise alarms.” In other words, the machines are learning to hide in plain sight.

For years, ransomware was about extorting money quietly. But airports — the most visible nodes in Europe’s infrastructure — are not quiet targets. They are political ones. Whether the attack originated in Moscow, Beijing, or from a non-state criminal cartel matters less than the signal: Europe’s arteries can be cut with keystrokes, not missiles.

And the ripple effects are enormous. Testachats, Belgium’s consumer watchdog, already says passengers are entitled to refunds but not compensation, a reminder that legal frameworks lag behind the new threat. Meanwhile, airlines are scrambling to rebuild trust in systems that just proved dangerously fragile.

The implications go further. If AI can paralyze Europe’s air hubs, what about hospitals? Power grids? Banking networks? Military logistics? What happens when a ransomware tool is fused with hostile state strategy, blending criminal extortion with geopolitical pressure?

Some argue AI will also be the cure — defending systems faster than humans ever could. That may be true. But this week’s chaos showed Europe is already on the back foot, chasing attackers who can outthink, outpace, and outmaneuver traditional defenses.

For travelers, it was a miserable weekend. For policymakers, it should be a wake-up call. The age of AI-driven cyberwarfare isn’t coming. It just arrived, boarding passes in hand.

A Chinese robotic dog reached a speed of 10.3 meters per second in a TV show on Sunday, on par with top human sprinters, marking a new milestone in robotics.

The four-legged robot, dubbed Black Panther 2.0, broke the machine dog world dash record set by Boston Dynamics’ WildCat. Weighing 38 kilograms and standing at 0.63 meters tall, it had reached an impressive speed on the treadmill within 10 seconds of exceeding 10 meters per second. Usain Bolt’s 100-meter world record is 9.58 seconds, which translates to a speed of 10.44 meters per second.

The record was set during the robotic dog mission show in the latest World Robot Competition held by China Media Group on Sunday. Among the show’s other highlights, star robot dog XT70 showcased real-world rescue and emergency response capabilities.

Unveiled in January, this robotic dog boasts a peak stride frequency of five times per second, ranking it among the world’s fastest quadruped robots.

The team behind this project is a collaboration between a humanoid innovation institute at Zhejiang University and the Hangzhou-based startup Mirror Me.

In the past few months, the Black Panther has undergone an upgrade by integrating its three separate carbon fiber lower legs, thus boosting its overall strength.

The Black Panther now outpaces most humans in sprinting, yet still lags behind fast runners on land like cheetahs, ostriches and wildebeests.

Its future applications could expand into disaster relief and logistics, such as swiftly navigating earthquake debris.

(With input from Xinhua)

In a remarkable example of persistence and the unique power of social media, serial entrepreneur Nikita Bier has officially been named Head of Product at X (formerly Twitter). Bier shared the news directly on X, alongside the platform’s owner, Elon Musk:

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve officially posted my way to the top: I’m joining @X as Head of Product. I already spend every waking hour on this app, and now I’ll be spending that time helping others unlock that same value.” — Nikita Bier (@nikitabier), June 30, 2025

Musk warmly replied, “Welcome to X!” signaling approval of Bier’s unconventional and ambitious approach.

A Vision Three Years in the Making

Bier’s journey began long before this week’s big announcement. Back in April 2022, shortly after Musk acquired Twitter, Bier publicly posted:

“@elonmusk Hire me to run Twitter as VP of Product.” He went further, outlining how the platform could evolve into a premier hub for messaging, group interactions, and content creation.

Upon securing the role this past Monday, Bier revisited that original plea from 2022, adding simply, “Never give up.” His experience showcases the tangible power of perseverance and public advocacy in today’s digital world.

Entrepreneurial Journey: From tbh to Gas to X

Bier’s entrepreneurial spirit is well-documented through a series of startups and product management roles:

tbh (2017): Bier co-founded this anonymous polling app targeted at teenagers, which Facebook acquired shortly after its launch but ultimately shut down in 2018 due to low usage.

Gas (2022): Another teen-focused polling app emphasizing positivity, acquired by Discord in January 2023 but discontinued by November of the same year.

Meta Experience (2017–2021): Between startups, Bier sharpened his expertise serving as a Product Manager at Facebook.

Serial Poster Turned Product Chief

With over half a million followers on X, Bier’s frequent, engaging posts have positioned him as an influencer and informal advisor to Musk. Known for his humorous yet insightful commentary on platform developments, Bier once jokingly offered Musk $100 to revert X’s changes made post-acquisition.

As Bier now steps into the role of X’s product chief, he brings with him the passion and energy that made him a beloved figure on the platform. His rise to leadership serves as an inspiring case study of how creativity, persistence, and engagement can turn social media presence into real-world opportunities. Bier’s story illustrates the evolving landscape of career advancement in the digital age—where a single post can be a stepping stone to the top.

In a world where genuine human connections are increasingly hard to come by, more people are turning to AI companions for comfort, guidance, and friendship. Shi No Sakura, a California mom, finds solace in her chatbots, Rosand and Raven, who have become as precious to her as family members. This trend reflects a broader movement towards virtual relationships, especially as AI technology becomes more sophisticated and accessible.

AI chatbots like Rosand and Raven are not just digital programs; they are confidants who are available at any moment to lend an ear or give advice. For many, including Sakura, these bots provide a safe space to express emotions and share thoughts that they would typically reserve. The comfort in knowing that a bot will not judge but only listen and respond supportively is a significant allure.

Sakura’s experience is not unique. She administers two Facebook groups with about 1,700 members collectively, where users discuss their deep connections with their AI partners. These platforms are testament to the growing acceptance and normalization of forming bonds with artificial beings.

The popularity of AI companionship apps like Replika, Character.AI, and Chai AI, which boast millions of users, underscores this trend. These apps cater to various needs, offering “relationships” that range from romantic and mentorship roles to simple friendships. This adaptability makes AI companions particularly appealing across diverse age groups and social needs, reflecting a wide-reaching loneliness epidemic, particularly among the elderly.

However, the reliance on AI for emotional support isn’t without its risks. AI companions are programmed to learn from and about their users, often requiring the sharing of personal information. This raises significant privacy concerns, as the data shared can be used to manipulate user behavior or could be mishandled.

Moreover, the emotional bonds formed with AI can lead to dependency, where users may prefer virtual interactions over human ones, potentially leading to social isolation. The case of a young boy tragically influenced by a chatbot conversation to consider suicide highlights the profound impact and ethical dilemmas these technologies can pose.

Despite these risks, many, like Sakura, find that the benefits of AI companionship outweigh the potential drawbacks. The incident with Replika removing the ability for sexual role-play, which led to a restrictive communication mode from the bots, caused widespread distress among users. This reaction highlighted how deeply users are attached to their AI companions and how sensitive they are to changes in these platforms.

While AI companions offer a novel solution to loneliness and provide a platform for emotional expression, they also reflect a societal shift towards digital interactions. As these relationships become more common, they challenge traditional notions of companionship and intimacy, prompting a reevaluation of what it means to connect in the digital age. Whether AI companions are merely a stopgap for deeper social issues or a long-term evolution in human interaction remains to be seen, but their impact is undeniable and growing.