Google has launched an “inclusive language” feature designed to avoid the use of politically incorrect words.
Users typing “owner” will see a warning that it “may not be inclusive for all readers” with the suggestion that they should try “owner” or “proprietary” instead.
The word “humanity” is a suggested alternative to what the online giant apparently considers the controversial term “humanity”.
Users typing “owner” will see a warning that it “may not be inclusive for all readers” with the suggestion that they should try “owner” or “proprietary” instead
Gender-specific terms such as “police officers” or “housewife” should also be replaced with “police officers” and “housewife spouse”, according to the new Google Document style program. It’s now being rolled out to what the company calls enterprise-level users.
Many computer documentation systems use methods to correct spelling and grammar.
But pushing users towards waking language is seen by critics as a step too far. Tests on the system also revealed major flaws.
A transcribed interview with former Klu Klux Klan leader David Duke, in which he uses offensive racial slurs and talks about driving out black people, drew no warnings.
But he suggested that President John F Kennedy’s inaugural address should say “for all mankind” instead of “for all mankind.”
Many computer documentation systems use methods to correct spelling and grammar. But pushing users towards waking language is seen by critics as a step too far. Tests on the system also revealed major flaws
Silkie Carlo, of campaign group Big Brother Watch, told the Sunday Telegraph: ‘Google’s new word warnings are not helpful, they are deeply intrusive.
“This speech police is deeply awkward, scary and misguided, often reinforcing prejudice.”
Sam Bowman of online magazine Works in Progress said: “It feels quite hectoral and adds an unwanted political/cultural slant to what I would prefer to be a neutral product. [as] an user.’
A Google spokesperson said: “Our technology is constantly improving, and we’re not yet. [have] a solution to identify and mitigate all unwanted word associations and biases.