Facebook's new software to help save lives
Social media giant Facebook is rolling out new artificial intelligence (AI) technology, including pattern recognition, to detect whether someone is expressing thoughts of suicide in a post or live video.
It comes after scores of suicides and shootings were carried out on Facebook live.
Facebook's new technology will scan all posts for patterns of suicidal thoughts, and when necessary send mental health resources to the user at risk or their friends, or contact local first-responders.
The world's largest social network says it now has more workers to review reports of suicide and self-harm.
Facebook uses signals like the text in the post or comments, such as "Are you ok?", "Can I help?" as a warning that can alert first responders to help anyone who is likely to commit suicide.
"We are starting to roll out artificial intelligence outside the US to help identify when someone might be expressing thoughts of suicide, including on Facebook Live. This will eventually be available worldwide, except the EU," Facebook says.
Facebook currently has 2 billion users worldwide.