It’s always good to make sure someone doesn’t hurt themselves but at the same time, it’s a little creepy to deploy a technology that affirmatively reads everything on the site and looks key words or “behaviors” in the posts.
Via BBC:
Facebook has begun using artificial intelligence to identify members that may be at risk of killing themselves.
The social network has developed algorithms that spot warning signs in users’ posts and the comments their friends leave in response.
After confirmation by Facebook’s human review team, the company contacts those thought to be at risk of self-harm to suggest ways they can seek help.
A suicide helpline chief said the move was “not just helpful but critical”.
The tool is being tested only in the US at present.