What if we could create new words to describe how life is changing because of AI?
This practice brings people together to coin terms for the cultural shifts AI is creating. The act of naming is, itself, an intervention: it makes the invisible visible, gives us shared language, and opens up conversations that we might not otherwise have.
The play
Find new words
The dilemma
We don’t have words to talk about the ways AI is affecting us.
The moves
Create and define words to talk about AI with others with this workshop and the AI to Z Glossary.
When to call
Anytime.
HOW TO RUN IT
Come up with phrases to describe the way AI is changing our lives and learning.
ALL five AI plays
NAME TO CLAIM
Explore some terms we’ve co-developed with educators, youth, researchers, and technologists using this practice.
AI-DAR
/ˈāˌī dɑr/ n.
The perceived ability to detect when AI has been used.
CHAT·PLO·MA·CY
/CHatˈplōməsē/ n.
Using AI to soften tone, smooth communication, or make messages more diplomatic.
TWO-WAY SUS·PI·CION
/ˈto͞o ˌwā səˈspiSHən/ n.
When two parties both suspect each other of using AI, eroding trust regardless of whether AI is actually used.
WHY BOTH·ER·ISM
/ˈ(h)wī ˈbäT͟Hərˌizəm/ n.
The feeling that if AI can do a task, there is little point in learning or attempting it yourself.
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This resource was created by the Center for Digital Thriving at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, in collaboration with participants in a participatory design convening held at Troutbeck (November 14–16, 2025). This resource was made possible through the support of Grant 63220 from the John Templeton Foundation. It has a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. Remixing is encouraged! Suggested attribution: Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard Graduate School of Education. (2025). AI to Z Glossary. Cambridge, MA, USA.
