AOL Introduces Neural-Net Content Filtering

An unnamed reader writes: "I thought this was kind of interesting. AOL has implemented a new form of parental controls, using neural net AI instead of hand-picked "lists". They seem to be willing to accept that no automated solution is infallible, and offer end-users the ability to vote to block or unblock sites. If there is an acceptible solution to parental filtering (not mandatory filtering, mind you. This scenario leaves it up to the parents), the seeming efficiency of neural net ai (at least, as efficient as the input) coupled with end-user's ability to influence the filter state seems to be it. The company that developed the AI in partnership with AOL (RuleSpace) doesn't appear to have much to say on the internals. Anybody know any AOL users who have tried it yet? If the market is pushing towards optional filtering, what would make for a better solution?"

Comments

YECIAFV (Yet Another CIA FLUENT Variant)

[joq]

FLUENT, enables an operator to search stored documents in a language s/he doesn't understand by using his or her own language for queries. (read on and here)

Funny how we Americans are such tightwads when it comes to sexual content. After visiting Europe last year I saw people were a slightly bit more laid back, even though pornography is shown on television just about every night. Wow I'm surprised Parents all over the USA aren't condemning Europeans for being sexually free.

Here's a suggestion for some parents: How about talking to your kids before placing mental handcuffs on them?

I wonder if AOL has taken the time to filter regular expressions such as pr0n/s3x/etc. Then I also wonder how are kids doing homework on "sexual reproduction" or "sexual organisms" are going to fair when using AOL. What I'm waiting to see, is who is going to be the first to open online "concentration camps" AOL-TW or MS

Parents will vote in/out sites?

[FunkyChild]

"What are you doing, honey, and what are those groaning noises coming from the computer?"

" *cough* Just ..er.. exercising my vote to ..er.. make the internet a better place for our children..."