Facebook to Use Pattern Recognition to Help Suicidal Users

Facebook wants to use pattern recognition to detect messages from users with suicidal thoughts. Such posts are analyzed by a team and if they deem it necessary, they try to provide the person concerned with help.

According to Facebook, it is currently a small test in the United States and is working closely with experts in the field of suicide prevention. Recognizing suicidal tendencies in messages should be done through pattern recognition. If the system detects that a user is exhibiting suicidal behavior, Facebook can offer that person help. This is done by displaying an on-screen notification that is visible only to the user, containing tips, or the suggestion to talk to a friend or contact a helpline.

It has been possible on Facebook for some time for users to report messages in which people talk about suicide. Facebook has now also integrated that functionality into Messenger and Live Video. Facebook says it is testing a way to make reporting posts with suicidal thoughts easier. Pattern recognition is also used for this. If the algorithm thinks that a message contains suicidal thoughts, a button should appear more prominently with which other users can report.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently indicated that he wants to use artificial intelligence in more areas on the social network. This should also make it possible to recognize messages containing terrorist propaganda.