Policy

Spanish Researchers Create 'Virtual Lolita'

Designed to catch pedophiles online

|


Spanish researchers have created a robot posing as a 14-year-old girl to spot paedophiles in online chatrooms.

Negobot uses artificial intelligence (AI) software to chat realistically and mimic the language used by teenagers.

The "virtual Lolita" starts off neutral but will adopt any of seven personalities according to the intensity of interactions.

Experts say it can help overburdened police but may risk trapping people unfairly.