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Things We Like 2023: The Year of Blockbusters and Breakthrough AI

The year 2023 was defined by a thrilling collision of culture and technology, a period where shared cinematic experiences smashed box office records while artificial intelligence quietly—and then loudly—began to reshape professional and creative life. It was a year of massive, communal moments and deeply personal product preferences, proving that in a fragmented world, we still craved a few things to obsess over together. From global concert tours that broke the billion-dollar barrier to the technology that literally writes and paints, here are the “things we liked” that defined 2023.

The Dawn of the AI Revolution

Undoubtedly, the single most transformative phenomenon of 2023 was the explosive rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Building on momentum from late 2022, AI matured from a novelty into a critical business and creative tool, fundamentally changing workflows across industries.

• Generative Tools for Everyone: AI tools capable of creating full-fledged artistic creations from simple text prompts became widely accessible. Companies like Adobe integrated these generative AI tools, such as Photoshop Generative Fill, into their core products, empowering artists and designers.
• From Cloud to Device: Beyond the massive cloud models, a significant trend was the move toward on-device AI, with major companies focusing on implementing AI functionality directly onto smartphones and personal computers.
• The Sustainability Pivot: The concept of Sustainable Technology and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles gained prominence in the tech roadmap. This shift included innovations aimed at improving the environmental footprint of supply chains and developing sustainable energy solutions.

The constant discussion around AI was a key driver of the “accelerated digital transformation” that characterized the year.

The Age of the Blockbuster Experience

In a world increasingly dominated by streaming, 2023 proved that people still crave a massive, shared cultural experience, whether in a movie theater or a stadium.

1. Barbenheimer: The Unlikely Double Feature

The simultaneous release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer created the “Barbenheimer” cultural phenomenon. This unprecedented event spurred millions of moviegoers to watch both films back-to-back, transforming a scheduling coincidence into an iconic social media moment and a testament to the enduring appeal of theatrical releases. Barbie went on to gross more than $1.4 billion at the box office, making it a cinematic sensation.

2. The Dominance of Pop Megastars

Two concerts, in particular, transcended mere tours and became defining economic and cultural events:

• Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour: Named TIME’s Person of the Year, Taylor Swift’s tour was a commercial behemoth and a celebration of her entire discography. The tour became the highest-grossing concert tour of all time, generating over a billion dollars in revenue.
• Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour: The tour, based on her album Renaissance, was a spectacle that solidified her status, with her daughter Blue Ivy making a notable stage debut alongside her mother.

3. Hollywood’s Great Pause

As a counterpoint to the entertainment successes, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes dominated the industry news, shutting down production in Hollywood for months as writers and actors fought for fair pay and protections against the use of AI.

New Consumer Habits and Viral Trends

The products and trends that gained popularity in 2023 reflected a focus on self-care, simple luxury, and viral social media influence.

• The Wellness Wave Continues: The demand for health and wellness products remained high, with specific items gaining viral status. The trend included a surge in popularity for vitamins, supplements, and unexpected skincare ingredients like Snail Mucin Serum.
• TikTok-Driven Products: Social media continued to turn everyday items into must-have products. Reusable water bottles became a trending eco-friendly item, often going viral through creative content. Simple beauty tools like lash primers and certain Crest Whitestrips also saw massive sales fueled by online recommendations.
• The Digital Dictionary: Internet slang officially crossed into the mainstream. The term “rizz” (short for charisma) was chosen as the Oxford Word of the Year for 2023, while the meme “My Roman Empire,” which refers to a niche topic a person thinks about frequently, became a widely used cultural shorthand.

The Subtle Tech Upgrades

While AI grabbed the headlines, practical tech experienced a few notable shifts:

• The Universal Port: A major development stemming from new European Union laws was the push for a common charging standard, which saw even Apple adopt the USB-C port on its latest phones, a move with global impact on consumer convenience.
• The Rise of Gaming Narratives: In video games, 2023 was lauded as one of the best years in recent memory, with titles like The Last of Us gaining massive critical acclaim for their mature and poignant narratives, showing the medium’s capacity for thoughtful storytelling.

From the billion-dollar tours that proved the power of a collective experience to the generative AI that is reshaping the future of work, the ‘things we liked’ in 2023 were a dynamic mix of the spectacular and the revolutionary. It was a year that set the stage for a new, AI-augmented, and culturally rich future.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: What was the biggest cultural phenomenon of 2023?

The biggest cultural phenomenon was arguably “Barbenheimer,” the unlikely pairing of the films Barbie and Oppenheimer, released on the same day. This event drove a massive, shared return to movie theaters and created an immense social media and fashion trend.

Q2: What technological advancement defined 2023?

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) was the defining technological advancement of 2023. Tools like ChatGPT and generative fill features in creative software became widespread, influencing business, art, and daily productivity, alongside a push for on-device AI functionality.

Q3: What new slang term was named the Word of the Year in 2023?

The term “rizz,” which is a shortened version of “charisma” and refers to one’s ability to attract another person through style or charm, was chosen as the Oxford Word of the Year for 2023.

Q4: What are examples of popular consumer products in 2023?

The most popular consumer products often centered on health and wellness, and those influenced by social media. Top-selling items included vitamins and supplements, the viral skincare ingredient Snail Mucin Serum, and eco-friendly reusable water bottles often featured on platforms like TikTok.