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Facebook Combats Suicide via Artificial Intelligence | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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London – To prevent suicide attempts among its users, Facebook aims to use artificial intelligence and to update its settings and services.

The world’s largest social media network said it plans to integrate its existing suicide prevention tools for Facebook posts into its live-streaming feature, “Facebook Live”, and its “Messenger” service.

In a blog, the company stated that artificial intelligence will be used to detect users who have suicidal tendencies.

Recently, the New York Post newspaper reported a 14-year-old foster child who committed suicide infront of viewers using the “Facebook Live” feature.

Facebook is already using artificial intelligence to monitor inappropriate material in live video streams.

The company said that updates will allow people watching any inappropriate coverage on “Facebook Live” to contact the person and report him.

Facebook will also allow users reporting a broadcast on “Facebook Live” to contact a friend or to call an emergency line.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for 15-29 year olds. National Center of Health Statistics said that suicide rate jumped to 24% in the United States between 1999 and 2014.