Website uses AI to tackle sensitive issues
An interactive website to tackle child abuse has been launched by children's charity NSPCC. TalkTown, accessed via www.talktilitstops.org.uk, is part of the charity's national 'Talk 'til it stops' campaign.
The site uses artificial intelligence to advise anyone worried that a child is being abused.
Users are able to ask the town's virtual residents for help via Lingubot, technology based on a sophisticated word and phrase pattern recognition system that matches preprogrammed responses in the Lingubot's knowledge base with questions typed in by users.
As people interact on the site, analysis tools will be used to expand the characters' knowledge.
By asking the residents questions, individuals will be able to start talking to the characters about child abuse and learn more about the role they can play in ending cruelty to children.
Stephanie Hughes, NSPCC new media communications manager said: "We are very excited to have the chance to use this state-of-the-art technology. It will bring the Talk 'til it Stops initiative to life in an interactive and emotionally engaging way."
The site has been designed and built by marketing agency DNA, with TalkTown's four Lingubots created by Creative Virtual.
The launch comes alongside an announcement that the British and Cambodian governments are working in partnership with Microsoft to tackle child exploitation through the internet.
A joint training programme in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, aims to increase local capability and awareness when dealing with crimes against children. It will be delivered by members of the UK's Serious Sexual Offences Unit, IT security experts from Microsoft and legal professionals from the UK, US, Thailand and Indonesia. The programme will include training in interviewing child abuse victims, conducting an online abuse investigation, interviewing sex offenders and international cooperation in identifying victims of child sexual abuse.
