6 Easy Ways AI Can Help You Choose Your One Word of the Year for 2026
—AI Prompts to Find Your Perfect One Word
Whether you choose a One Word every year or want to try it for the first time, here are 6 ways that AI can help you choose the right word for you in 2026.
Open your preferred AI system (I use the free version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Then try these prompts to see what words pop up for you.
1. If you want to choose from a list
Ask AI to generate tailored options based on what matters most to you.
Type in this prompt, adjusting it to fit your themes:
“Give me 10 possible One Words for 2026 based on the themes I want more of: connection, peace, courage, and joy.”
After getting the list, narrow the scope by asking:
“Help me score each word on flexibility of use, challenge level, and practical applicability. Create a simple decision grid.”
Why this works:
A curated list prevents overwhelm while still giving you room to explore options. The scoring step helps you narrow down your choice even easier.
2. If you want a fun and random pick
Prompt AI to create a surprise-based way to choose.
Try this:
“Give me 3 totally random One Word options for 2026 based on my birthday month, which is ____, the last picture in my camera roll, which is of ____, and what I want for dinner, which is ____. Make the words surprising but also meaningful.”
Or:
“Pick a word at random from the dictionary—but explain why it might be exactly the word I need this year.”
Why this works:
It removes the weight of picking the exact right word. An unexpected word can also spark your creativity and open doors to insights you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.
3. If you need reflective questions for a deeper choice
Let AI act as a mirror to help you dig deeper.
Try this:
“Ask me 5 reflective questions to uncover patterns in my previous year—things like what energized me, what drained me, what I’m longing for, and what I keep avoiding. After I answer, suggest 5 possible One Words for 2026.”
Or:
“Give me journaling prompts that help reveal a theme for my next season of life, which involves ____.”
Why this works:
AI guides you to reflect on where you are in life and what you want to do next, then suggests words that align with your values.
4. If you want a future-self approach
Ask AI to create a letter from your future self, dated December 31, 2026.
Try this:
“Write a letter to the version of myself at the end of 2026, when I’ll be more ____ and less ____, telling me which word guided my year, how it shaped me, and why I’m grateful for it.”
Why this works:
Sometimes a word becomes clearer when you imagine who you’re becoming and the life you want to create with it.
5. If you’re stuck between two (or more) finalists
Use AI to help compare them head-to-head.
Try this:
“Compare these two words ____ and ____ across these dimensions: emotional resonance, energy, stretch, alignment with my current season, and practical application. Then tell me which one seems to fit best—and why.”
Why this works:
AI helps articulate more detailed differences that you might not have considered, but that might matter to you.
6. If you already have a word but want to refine it
Ask AI to help you sharpen, expand, or reframe it.
Try this:
“I’m considering the word ____. Refine it by suggesting synonyms, related concepts, and slightly softer or stronger variations. Then write 3 micro-scenarios showing what my life would look like if I lived this word in 2026.”
Or:
“Give me a test: if this is truly my word for 2026, what would I say yes to? What would I say no to?”
Why this works:
You keep the heart of your original choice but gain clarity, nuance, and confidence about how the word might guide you in the year ahead.
A Final Thought
Choosing a One Word for 2026 is a personal and reflective process that can be approached in a variety of ways—but AI can make it easier, more fun, and surprisingly insightful. Try one of these methods—or mix and match—to see what emerges. I tried several of these to help narrow down my own potential word for 2026, and was amazed at the results it gave me.
The right word might just reveal itself in a way you didn’t expect.
You can download this page as a PDF here.
Have you tried one of these AI options? Did it help you?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
Get more help for choosing your One Word:
- How Do I Find My One Word of the Year? 7 Strategies to Find the Right Word for You
Need help finding your One Word of the Year? Here are 7 strategies for finding the right word and a list of suggested words. Plus a group to join! - Don’t Put It Off: 5 Questions to Ask Now to Discover Your 2026 Word
Start listening now for your One Word for 2026. Reflect with five questions to guide your choice - Want to Join a Group for Your One Word of the Year?
Learn more here about our community of friends who help each other stick to their One Word.
If you want to join our community, sign up here for our One Word group. You’ll receive a monthly email with ideas to practice your word and an invitation to join our private One Word Facebook group.
- 8 Books to See the World (and Yourself) More Clearly
- How to Cope with Climate Worry: A Book to Help You Breathe Again
I was startled by all the ways AI could help someone find a word for the year, Lisa. I think the internet helps us in so many ways, but I also think it’s good to pull aside and sit before the Lord and ask Him for a Word. There’s definitely a balance!
Yes, AI is just one tool among many. I hope AI remains only that–just another tool in the toolbox (a valuable one, no doubt) instead of replacing all the others, including our own brains. ha. I still have a love/hate relationship with the internet; it can be wonderful and it can be awful. I agree with you that finding balance is definitely important. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Lisa.
Thanks, Lisa, for explaining to us how we can use AI to generate and/or hone our one word for 2026. I don’t mean to sound stuck in the 20th century, but I think I’ll pass on it for right now. It’s too long to go into here, but I had an alarming encounter with AI (Gemini) recently and I simply don’t feel comfortable putting anything out there. Looking forward to seeing what word God reveals. Blessings!
I hear you, Martha. Some things might be nice to be stuck in the 20th century about. Not everything! But some things. 🙂 I understand your caution; we all need to be wise with the information we put out there because once we do, we have no control over where it goes next. I’m cautious myself (although I also assume the internet already knows everything about me, so what’s the point? sigh).
This was a fun exercise to do – thanks for the link and the questions to use. I already have my word (nurture) and this provided some extras to think about.
Yay, Bev! I already have my word too, but AI suggested Nurture for me as well! It’s a great word. I’m glad you’ve chosen it so I can live vicariously through your choice next year. 🙂
Let me guess: your one word for 2026 is “prompt?” 🙂
Ah! Prompt would have been a great choice! But alas, that’s not what I’ve chosen. I’m about 95% sure about my word, but AI did provide some tempting options… 🙂
Thanks for these great ideas! I hardly ever use AI except to describe images, but I”m considering giving it a try again. I haven’t participated in the One Word thingy for a while, but am thinking of restarting the thing in 2026.
Yay, Astrid! I’m excited to hear you’re considering a word again for 2026. If you do, please keep us posted on which word you choose.
wow at first I wasn’t going to do this but decided to try three different words with some of your prompt and what fun and what insights this gave me. Thanks for sharing this idea!!
I’m glad you gave it a go, Jean! It was a fun exercise for me too. I’ve found that AI can be quite helpful, if used judiciously. I suppose we’re all still in that learning stage of how that works…
An interesting use for AI Lisa! I have two words at the moment, so we’ll see if these two stay or one become the focus.
Visiting from Stephanie’s today where we’re sitting together.
Blessings, Jennifer
Exciting that you’ve narrowed it down to two words, Jennifer! I’ve had my word for a few weeks now, but just this morning I saw a similar word that I’m now considering. I’ll decide for sure soon. 🙂
Wow, I never would have thought you could use AI for something like this. Those were good excamples you gave. I may try it out.
Let me know if you try it, Jerralea. And if it’s helpful. I don’t want AI to be the sole decision maker for me with my word, but I do appreciate good suggestions from it.
Lisa, great prompt examples you’ve shared. This definitely makes it easier for those who weren’t sure what to ask the AI. Thank you for sharing with us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.
You’re welcome, Steph. One of my goals this year was to learn more about using AI. It’s been fun (and also a bit unnerving at how much it can come up with so quickly).
Great ideas Lisa! I tend to keep an eye out for a word and then run with it!
Hope it gives you some interesting choices and/or commentary. I find AI to be both fun and a little bit scary in how well it already knows me. ha.
I’m still waiting for my word to land…
You still have time, Michele. The wait will be worth it.
I have to admit I was not sure how much of AI I would use in my life, Lisa. But then a few months ago, my best friend told me he uses it all the time for creating reports, etc. I was blown away! It still blows my mind a little. Especially when considering headshots for my new book. Some pics were hilarious and others captured my image quite well. Thank you for this innovative way to discover my ONEWord for 2025. I usually start praying about my next one around this time. we shall see if God gives me a different one than HOPE. Which I would give 5 stars for 2025! Have wonderful holiday season and a Merry Christmas, sister!
I’ve been blown away by AI too. I wanted this year to be the one when I learned more about it. It’s been fascinating to see its capabilities. And a little scary too, to be honest. 😉 But for better or worse, it’s likely here to stay so I want to be wise in my use of it.
I can see Hope being a multi-year word, Horace! If you stick with it again, I’m sure it won’t let you down.