Google will nudge users to adopt gender-neutral language
The tech company intervenes in the argument about masculine generics
IN THE 1990S parodies of Clippy from Microsoft Word were a bit of a trend in cartoons and magazines. The annoying paper-clip-shaped figure would pop up as soon as you began writing “Dear…” and say: “It looks like you’re writing a letter,” before offering unsolicited advice on things such as formatting.
Two decades later, various automatic aids to writing, including spelling and grammar-checkers, are much better. They are both more discerning—powered by artificial intelligence rather than manually programmed—and more subtle in their operations. Many writers are grateful for their interventions.
This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline "One giant leap for humankind"
From the June 5th 2021 edition
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