Google to offer media groups an AI tool to combat online trolls

Google said it will begin offering media groups an artificial intelligence tool designed to stamp out incendiary comments on their websites.

The programming tool, called Perspective, aims to assist editors trying to moderate discussions by filtering out abusive “troll” comments, which Google says can stymie smart online discussions.

“Seventy-two per cent of American internet users have witnessed harassment online and nearly half have personally experienced it,” said Jared Cohen, president of Google’s Jigsaw technology incubator.