Facebook taps artificial intelligence in new push to block terrorist propaganda

Floral tributes to Spanish national Ignacio Echeverria, 39, lay on London Bridge in London. Facebook said Thursday it's cracking down on terrorist activity on its platform. SAN FRANCISCO -- With attacks on Western targets increasing pressure on Facebook, the giant social network says it's making a new push to crack down on terrorist activity by using sophisticated algorithms to mine words, images and videos to root out and remove extremists' propaganda and messages. Artificial intelligence can't do the job alone, so Facebook says it has amassed a team of 150, including counterterrorism experts, who are dedicated to tracking and taking down propaganda and other materials. It's also collaborating with fellow technology companies and consulting with researchers to keep up with the ever-changing social media tactics of the Islamic State and other terror groups.