Facebook reveals plan to use artificial intelligence to prevent suicides
Social network wants to assist people to get help and let users highlight concerns about their friends
FACEBOOK plans to use artificial intelligence and update its tools and services to help prevent suicides among its users.
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.
Artificial intelligence will be used to help spot users with suicidal tendencies,
"Facebook is in a unique position — through friendships on the site — to help connect a person in distress with people who can support them," it wrote.
"It’s part of our ongoing effort to help build a safe community on and off Facebook."
The social network is already using artificial intelligence to monitor offensive material in live video streams.
How Facebook is planning to 'build a safer community'
"Our suicide prevention tools for Facebook posts will now be integrated into Facebook Live.
"People watching a live video have the option to reach out to the person directly and to report the video to us. We will also provide resources to the person reporting the live video to assist them in helping their friend.
"The person sharing a live video will see a set of resources on their screen.
"They can choose to reach out to a friend, contact a help line or see tips. If you or someone you know is in crisis, it is important to call local emergency services right away.
"You can also visit our Help Center for information about how to support yourself or a friend."
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The company said its updated tools would give an option to users watching a live video to reach out to the person directly and report the video to Facebook.
It will use artifical intelligence to automatically detect posts which contain concerning content.
It added: "Based on feedback from experts, we are testing a streamlined reporting process using pattern recognition in posts previously reported for suicide.
"This artificial intelligence approach will make the option to report a post about 'suicide or self injury' more prominent for potentially concerning posts like these."
Facebook will also provide resources, which include reaching out to a friend and contacting a help line, to the user reporting the live video.
There were 6,188 deaths from suicide in the UK in 2015, which was up slightly from 6,122 in 2014, according to the National Office for Statistics.
The suicide rate for men is about three times higher than women.
For more information Contact The Samaritans on 116 123 or visit
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