AI Bots Listen In on the Toxic World of Videogame Voice Chat

In the videogame “Gun Raiders,” a player using voice chat could be muted within seconds after hurling a racial slur. The censor isn’t a human content moderator or fellow gamer–it is an artificial intelligence bot.

Voice chat has been a popular part of videogaming for more than a decade, allowing players to socialize and strategize. According to a recent study, nearly three-quarters of those using the feature have experienced incidents such as name-calling, bullying and threats.