Dictionaries and AI: Michael Adams on the Future of Lexicography

Michael Adams, Provost Professor of English at Indiana University Bloomington, is a leading voice in modern lexicography. In The Cambridge Handbook of the Dictionary (Cambridge University Press), co-edited with Edward Finegan, Adams dives deep into the often-overlooked field of dictionary scholarship, revealing how dictionaries are not just reference tools, but cultural artifacts shaped by bias, history, and evolving language.

The Handbook covers eight types of dictionaries, including translation, legal, slang, and visual dictionaries, and addresses their future in a digital world increasingly influenced by AI. Adams emphasizes that AI will likely aid the creation of bilingual and learner dictionaries—especially for rare or underrepresented language pairs—yet stresses that AI cannot replace the nuanced human work behind dictionary creation.

“Lexicography is a human enterprise,” Adams notes. “Dictionaries reflect our beliefs, biases, and culture.” He also explains the “ideological load” present in how entries are selected, formatted, and defined.

Online dictionaries, while helpful, often rely on outdated source material. Their monetization strategy centers on surfacing trendy new words but frequently leaves out nuanced, updated meanings. This digital gap is where Adams sees potential for AI—if moderated by human editors—to expand global access to dictionaries.

Although AI integration remains limited, Adams believes we’re at a turning point. The Handbook offers an optimistic yet critical assessment of where dictionaries have been—and where they’re headed next.