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CURRENT EVENT | December 14, 2018

Debate: Should AI Be Allowed to Assess Suicide Risk on Facebook?

Facebook has been using artificial intelligence (AI) to try to help prevent suicide and self-harm. Facebook’s head of safety says that the AI system, which triggers alerts when Facebook chatter indicates potential risk, was used several times in its first year. While some people support this use of AI, others want the social media giant to be more transparent about its use. Many worry that this development could lead to more AI surveillance. Listen to hear more about how the AI system works and debate: Should AI be allowed to assess suicide risk on Facebook?

Story Length: 4:28

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Facebook Increasingly Reliant on A.I. To Predict Suicide Risk

SOURCE:

11/17/2018

Listening Link (share with students)

Copy this link and distribute for students to listen from their own device.

https://app.listenwise.com/students/events/1277-debate-should-ai-be-allowed-to-assess-suicide-risk-on-facebook

Listening Comprehension Questions

What does the reporter mean when he says “the AI is learning…?”
What happens when the AI system notices online conversations related to a possible self-harm event?
About how many times a day did Facebook say the AI system was triggered in its first year?
What concerns do the experts interviewed have about the use of this AI-based monitoring of Facebook activity?
To what other situations might this technology be applied?

Classroom Discussion Themes

Debate: Should AI be allowed to assess suicide risk on Facebook?
Do you think that AI-based monitoring technology should be used in law enforcement? Why or why not?

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