AI helps to prevent Facebook suicide attempts

SAN FRANCISCO - US tech giant Facebook said on Monday that it is using artificial intelligence technology, including pattern recognition, to detect whether someone is expressing thoughts of suicide in a post or live video.

"Facebook is a place where friends and family are already connected and we are able to help connect a person in distress with people who can support them," the company said in a statement.

It said it is "using pattern recognition to detect posts or live videos where someone might be expressing thoughts of suicide, and to help respond to reports faster".