In a world where technology increasingly intertwines with daily life, the term “vibe coding” has been crowned Collins’ Word of the Year 2025.
Coined by AI pioneer Andrej Karpathy, vibe coding represents a shift in how humans interact with technology, encouraging programmers to use natural language to instruct computers, rather than traditional coding methods. This concept of “programming by vibes” rather than variables resonates far beyond Silicon Valley, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards AI-assisted processes in everyday life.
The shortlist for Collins’ Word of the Year further illustrates society’s balancing act between embracing technological advances and grappling with authenticity. Among the runners-up is “aura farming,” a Gen Z phenomenon where individuals meticulously cultivate charismatic personas that appear effortless. This trend exploded after a viral video showcased an Indonesian boy’s calm confidence during a boat race, capturing the paradox of striving for authenticity in a performative world.
In professional environments, “taskmasking” has emerged as a quiet rebellion against return-to-office mandates, where employees create the illusion of productivity through meaningless tasks and meetings. This echoes the sentiment of “quiet quitting” from 2022, highlighting the disconnect between presence and output in the modern workplace.
The term “broligarchy” has surfaced to describe the small group of wealthy tech billionaires wielding significant political influence, a Silicon Valley twist on traditional oligarchy. The presence of figures like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos at key political events underscores growing concerns about concentrated power in the tech industry.
On a more personal note, “biohacking” has become mainstream as individuals seek to optimise their health and longevity. From cryotherapy to nutrigenomics, people are investing in these practices, particularly those classified as HENRYs (high earners, not rich yet), who find substantial wealth elusive despite impressive salaries.
As burnout becomes increasingly common, many are opting for “micro-retirements,” taking career breaks to pursue personal interests rather than waiting for a distant retirement. This trend, along with the rise of “coolcations” to cooler climates as traditional holiday spots become less appealing due to climate change, reflects an evolving approach to work-life balance.
In the quest for authenticity, “glazing” — excessive, often undeserved praise — has become a target for Gen Z, who demand genuineness over performative compliments. Meanwhile, the term “clanker” has gained traction as a derogatory label for AI and robots, serving as both a joke and a coping mechanism as automation impacts jobs and creativity.
These linguistic trends highlight the tensions of 2025: a society simultaneously embracing AI (vibe coding) and resisting it (clanker, broligarchy), while chasing authenticity (calling out glazing) amidst the cultivation of public personas (aura farming). As people optimise their bodies (biohacking) and financial situations (HENRY), they also acknowledge burnout (micro-retirement, coolcation), illustrating the complexities of being human in the age of AI.
(Please note, AI has been used to generate and edit this post, including the image. You mighy say we’re “vibe coding”!)
