Facebook trains Artificial Intelligence to identify suicidal signs in users

Facebook is upgrading AI tools to identify individuals expressing thoughts of committing suicide on Facebook. The AI software will find clues in videos and posts on Facebook. Then they will be sent to the Facebook team, who will analyze the clues and send help to those individuals who can commit suicide.

Facebook vice president of product management Guy Rosen said in a blog post, “This approach uses pattern recognition technology to help identify posts and live streams as likely to be expressing thoughts of suicide.”

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Signs that will be watched include comments, text, and videos. There are tools on Facebook to help you report a concern about any friend or colleague who might consider self-harm. This software will speed up everything and look at signs overlooked by others.

Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said on Facebook, “Starting today we’re upgrading our AI tools to identify when someone is expressing thoughts about suicide on Facebook so we can help get them the support they need quickly. In the last month alone, these AI tools have helped us connect with first responders quickly more than 100 times.

With all the fear about how AI may be harmful in the future, it’s good to remind ourselves how AI is actually helping save people’s lives today.”

Mark Zuckerberg said early this year in a post at the social network, “There have been terribly tragic events — like suicides, some live-streamed — that perhaps could have been prevented if someone had realized what was happening and reported them sooner. Artificial intelligence can help provide a better approach.”

This AI tool will be rolled out everywhere except in the European Union, where data usage is limited by privacy regulations. Facebook is also joining hands with mental health organization to find suicidal signs in users and provide them with timely help.