AI washing

noun

The deceptive marketing of a product or a service by overstating its use of artificial intelligence.

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Meanings

nounAI washing (uncountable)

alternative AI-washing

  1. uncountableThe deceptive marketing of a product or a service by overstating its use of artificial intelligence.
  2. uncountableThe use of artificial intelligence as an excuse for corporate measures such as layoffs.

    Some experts have questioned whether the technology is the real source of the job reductions, saying some companies could be “AI-washing,” or blaming layoffs on the new technology to cover up cost-cutting efforts or other issues with their businesses.

    2026 January 27, Annie Palmer, “Pinterest laying off 15% of workforce as part of AI push; stock plummets”, in CNBC, archived from the original on 11 Feb 2026

Origin

From AI + -wash + -ing.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

AI washing. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/AI%20washing

MLA

“AI washing.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/AI%20washing. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “AI washing,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/AI%20washing.

Source: AI washing on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.