Google is taking further action in combating terrorism. As pressure mounts on for more stringent measures to remove content spreading extremist propaganda, Google is taking additional steps to identify and remove such content.

According to an editorial by Google, they would be increasing use of AI to identify extremist and terrorism-related video. Through video analysis models, Google has been training more advanced machine learning research to identify “content classifiers” to help identify and differentiate different context of video – whether it be news, or glorification of violence.

Google also noted that they will be increasing number of independent experts in YouTube’s Trusted Flagger programme. For nuance instances where a machine is unable to clearly identify the context, human experts will be called upon to make the judgement. Google will be adding 50 expert NGOs to the 63 organisations who are already part of the programme, with supports through operational grants. These groups will help by working on issues like hate speech, self-harm, and terrorism.

For videos that do not clearly violate policy, but still contain inflammatory religious or supremacist content, Google will be putting it behind an interstitial warning and they will not be monetised, recommended or eligible for comments or user endorsements. That means these videos will have less engagement and be harder to find. “We think this strikes the right balance between free expression and access to information without promoting extremely offensive viewpoints,” Google wrote.

YouTube will also be working with Jigsaw to implement the  “Redirect Method” more broadly across Europe. This approach uses targeted online advertising to reach potential Isis recruits, and redirects them towards anti-terrorist videos that can change their minds about joining. Google reported that in previous deployments of this system, potential recruits have clicked through on the ads at an unusually high rate, and watched over half a million minutes of video content that debunks terrorist recruiting messages.

Google also noted that they are working with industry players, including Facebook, Microsoft, and Twitter, to establish an international forum to share and develop technology and support smaller companies to tackle terrorism online.