"AI 'Slop' Named Word of the Year as Bizarre Content Floods Internet"

A wave of strange, low-quality AI content is now so dominant online that Merriam-Webster has named "slop" its Word of the Year. The term specifically refers to the "internet variety" of this material. This "AI slop" includes surreal images like "shrimp Jesus" or "erotic tractors." It is designed to go viral and farm views on social media. Experts say this flood of unreality is the result of algorithm-driven social platforms. It is also a product of an online economy dominated by a few major tech firms. For many creators, generating this bizarre AI content is now a simple side hustle. The phenomenon has become a defining feature of the internet in 2024 and 2025.