Search
Close this search box.
Search

Facebook spots suicidal users with artificial intelligence

Facebook is going to use artificial intelligence to identify users with suicidal urges. Algorithms should help the social network to review posts and comments. A human review team then decides whether or not the concerns are legitimate.

The company developed algorithms to recognize worrisome posts and comments. When the human review team decides that a member is truly at risk, they will contact them and suggest ways to seek help. To do so, Facebook has collaborated with several U.S. mental health organisations. Members can contact these organisations with the Messenger tool.

Algorithm recognises patterns

Facebook already support those who are at risk, by letting friends push a report button when they’re concerned. The new algorithm should speed up this process and make sure receiving help isn’t depended on other members. The algorithms are trained to recognise patterns. Examples are posts in which the user talks about sadness or pain. Comments like ‘are you okay?’ and ‘I’m concerned’ will also be recognised by the algorithm.

A human review team then makes sure that the messages are truly alarming.

Contacting family and friends

At one point, Facebook wants to contact those who could support the at-risk member. This is, however, a privacy sensitive matter. After all, Facebook can’t truly know the personal dynamics within a friend group. The company is searching for a fitting solution to this problem, since having a support network is often a motivation to get help.

Advice during a Livestream

The tool should make sure that Facebook can intervene before a user makes a fatal decision. It is now possible for concerned viewers to get advice about ways to support the broadcaster. The broadcaster on the other side will receive a message from the Facebook team. Facebook is not going to cut off the Livestream, since it is important for family and friends to have to opportunity to express concern and offer help, says Jennifer Guadagno, Facebook’s lead researcher on the project.

The function is being tested in the U.S. The new system should be rolled out worldwide. Facebook is searching for suited partners, to make it possible to contact crisis counsellors in other countries.

Whixx

ICT&health World Conference 2024

Experience the future of healthcare at the ICT&health World Conference from May 14th to 16th, 2024!
Secure your ticket now and immerse yourself in groundbreaking technologies and innovative solutions.
Engage with fellow experts and explore the power of global collaborations.

Share this article!

Read also
Mayo Clinic started with its innovations for its ten million patients and demonstrated that its model worked, and that data could be ethically and responsibly used to drive innovations.
John Halamka: 'Create the Fear of Missing Out'
Balancing regulatory compliance with seamless adoption, healthcare navigates the integration of AI solutions.
A guide to implementing AI in healthcare amid the EU AI Act
AmyWebb-Stephen-Olker
Futurist Amy Webb claims that wearables will evolve into "connectables"
Digital health solutions empower patients to better manage their health and integrate care into their daily lives.
How to improve Digital Patient Engagement to streamline workflows
For people with diabetes, inaccurate blood glucose measurements can lead to errors in diabetes management, including taking the wrong dose of insulin, sulfonylureas, or other medications that can rapidly lower blood glucose.
Smartwatches measuring glucose level: Harmful but easy to buy fake innovations
How to introduce innovation and AI in healthcare organizations if there is no business model for prevention and quality – Our interview with Professor Ran Balicer, the Chief Innovation Officer at Clalit Health Services and founding Director of Clalit Research Institute.
I see no legitimate rationale for delaying the digital transformation in healthcare
Pioneering Cardiac Arrest Detection for Enhanced Survival.
CardioWatch Revolutionizes Cardiac Arrest Detection
Dr. Oscar Díaz-Cambronero, Head of Perioperative Medicine Department at La Fe Hospital, spearheads innovative telemonitoring initiatives revolutionizing patient care
Smartwatches Saving Lives Inside and Outside the Hospital
EIT 2024
EIT Awards 2024. Two European startups are revolutionizing the treatment of cardiovascular diseases
Bertrand Piccard, Swiss explorer and founder of the Solar Impulse Foundation
EIT Summit 2024. What are the trigger points that drive or inhibit innovation?
Follow us