AI bot surfs social media to help prevent suicide

The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with artificial intelligence (AI) experts Advanced Symbolics Inc. to test the efficacy of suicide prevention through social media monitoring. The Ontario, Canada-based company provides custom AI services to businesses and agencies, and in this project, will be examining the expressed thoughts and behaviors of social media users in a suicide-prevention context. The trial will attempt to identify patterns of communication and action that will help the Agency better allocate available funding and mental healthcare services.