West News Wire: Call of Duty, a shooter computer game, has begun utilising AI to keep an eye out for hate speech during online matches.
The moderator tool, which makes use of machine learning technology, can recognise harassment and offensive language in real time, according to publisher Activision.
By leveraging algorithms and the data it has been taught with, machine learning enables AI to learn and adapt on-the-fly without explicit human direction.
Modulate is the manufacturer of the ToxMod tool that is now available in Call of Duty.
According to Michael Vance, chief technical officer of Activision, it will contribute to making the game “a fun, fair, and welcoming experience for all players.”
Toxic voice chat has long been a problem for online video games, with women and minorities particularly targeted.
Research by news channels has found one in 10 female gamers feel suicidal due to the abuse they face.
The issue is exacerbated in popular multiplayer games due to the sheer number of players, with around 90 million people playing Call Of Duty each month.
Activision claimed that one million users had already had their communications privileges restricted thanks to its current technologies, which include the capability for gamers to complain other players and the automatic monitoring of text chat and inappropriate usernames.
The code of conduct for Call of Duty prohibits bullying and harassment, as well as disparaging remarks about race, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, culture, religion, and nation of origin.
ToxMod, according to Mr. Vance, enables the corporation to scale up its efforts at moderation by classifying toxic behaviour according to its seriousness before a human determines whether or not to take action.
Unless they entirely turn off in-game voice chat, players won’t be able to choose not to have the AI listen in.
It has been added to Call Of Duty’s Modern Warfare II and Warzone games so far, but only in the US for now.
A full rollout will begin when the next instalment, Modern Warfare III, launches on 10 November.
