Google Ideas Gathers Former Extremists to Target Radicalization

The Takeaway

Google’s eight-month-old think tank, Google Ideas, is paying for 80 former Muslim extremists, neo-Nazis, U.S. gang members, and other former radicals to gather in Dublin today, to discuss what draws people to violent extremism and how technology can carry out de-radicalization efforts. Google is calling the group “formers,” and they’ll be participating in the talks with 120 activists and business leaders.   Allen McDuffee, a reporter for The Washington Post and author of the paper’s Think Tanked blog, wrote about the gathering and speaks with us from Dublin.

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!