Three years into the artificial intelligence boom that began with ChatGPT's groundbreaking launch, we're witnessing something remarkable: AI is going through its teenage years. And just like any adolescent, it's experiencing growing pains that signal tremendous transformation ahead.

Merriam-Webster's choice of "slop" as the 2025 word of the year—referring to low-quality AI-generated content—might sound negative at first. But it actually represents something encouraging: we're paying attention. We're holding AI accountable. We're demanding better. This critical examination is exactly what's needed to push the technology toward its full potential.

Think of where we are now as the necessary awkward phase before maturity. Yes, we've seen machine-generated content that misses the mark, from viral fake animal videos to spam that clutters our feeds. But these hiccups are teaching us valuable lessons about quality control, ethical guidelines, and the kind of AI applications that truly serve humanity.

The promise of AI to help cure diseases and address climate change hasn't disappeared—it's simply taking longer than the most optimistic projections suggested. And that's actually good news. Real breakthroughs require careful development, rigorous testing, and thoughtful implementation. Research labs and medical institutions are making steady progress in using AI for drug discovery, protein folding, and climate modeling. These advances may not generate viral videos, but they're building the foundation for genuine transformation.

What's particularly exciting about heading into 2026 is that we're finally asking the right questions. From boardrooms to classrooms, passionate debates about AI's role in society demonstrate engagement rather than apathy. Business leaders are grappling with how to implement AI responsibly. Educators are discovering innovative ways to use AI as a teaching tool while maintaining academic integrity. Policymakers worldwide are crafting regulations to protect consumers while fostering innovation.

These conversations represent progress. Three years ago, we were asking "What can AI do?" Now we're asking the more sophisticated questions: "How should AI be used? Who benefits? What safeguards do we need?" This evolution in our thinking is precisely what's required to steer this powerful technology toward positive outcomes.

The challenges we've faced—the content quality issues, the ethical dilemmas, the uncertainty about implementation—are actually signs that we're taking AI seriously enough to critique it. We're not blindly accepting every application or promise. We're demanding that this technology live up to its potential to genuinely improve human life.

As we look toward 2026, there's genuine reason for optimism. The questions we're asking will lead to better answers. The mistakes we've identified will lead to improved systems. The debates we're having will lead to wiser policies. AI's awkward phase won't last forever, and the maturity that follows promises to be worth the growing pains.

The revolution isn't stalling—it's evolving, and that evolution is being guided by human wisdom, criticism, and hope.