*By Marcelo Batista Nery
An undergraduate student in Social Sciences like me, who graduated from a university that values teaching classical works and authors, has certainly studied Émile Durkheim's Suicide. For Durkheim, suicide is a paradoxical phenomenon, and this is the starting point. Although I do not strictly follow his assumptions here, adopting this perspective can help us think about something current and important.
Although suicide may seem like the most personal action an individual can take, there is much more at stake. At first glance, the idea that suicide is an expression of autonomy seems to make sense, as it involves a complex set of factors, including deep inner conflicts, feelings of isolation, and disconnection from others. Furthermore, the act of taking one’s own life is often done in secret, and its execution often reflects a particular condition in which the person feels there is no other way out of their suffering.
However, suicide is a universal phenomenon, occurring throughout human history and in all parts of the world. In some situations, many similarities are found, which leads to the conclusion that there are social factors that decisively interfere, directly and indirectly, in this act. It is therefore a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that can be poorly understood from a restricted perspective.
Therefore, suicide is not only a private tragedy, but also a serious public health problem, being one of the main causes of death in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in the last 40 years, the suicide rate has increased by 60% in several countries, and is currently the second leading cause of violent death among young people aged 15 to 19 and the third leading cause of violent death among people aged 15 to 29. However, in countries such as Japan, South Korea, Hungary and Sweden, suicide rates among the elderly are higher compared to other age groups. It is also important to consider that gender, ethnicity and marital status are significant markers for understanding this phenomenon.
Suicide has been increasing progressively in recent decades, becoming a recurring problem and, consequently, the target of research in a wide range of areas. In scientific research, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) facilitate the collection, treatment and processing of data, speeding up the acquisition of strategic knowledge for public policies. Their rapid advancement, which includes Artificial Intelligence (AI), has led to their application in many sectors, including health, social services, education, law, public safety, etc. These technologies are capable of analyzing large volumes of data, identifying patterns and guiding complex decisions.
In terms of interpersonal relationships, these data include characteristics such as easy access to psychoactive substances and/or a method of committing suicide (such as firearms), overlapping demographic deficiencies, lack of ties with society or social groups (integration) and lack of support from social institutions,
cultural, legal and political (social regulation) factors, situations that generally worsen during economic crises or abrupt social changes. In addition, social media posts can also be used as data to identify the behavior of people with suicidal tendencies.
The growing scientific interest raises important legal and humanitarian issues, especially in more sensitive areas. There are many ethical and safety concerns related to technology-mediated suicide prevention initiatives, ranging from the lack of skills of professionals with new digital tools to the poor quality of data, which compromises the safe use of ICTs to identify self-harmful behaviors.
The use of ICTs in suicide prevention raises questions about privacy, consent and the potential for stigmatization. The collection and processing of sensitive data, such as that obtained from social media, requires extra care to ensure that confidentiality and the rights of individuals are respected. At the same time, the lack of standardization in methods and the reliance on AI algorithms can perpetuate existing biases or create new ones, resulting in incorrect diagnoses and a lack of support and resources for people at risk.
The giving up of life must be understood within the historical context of each society. It is essential to take into account local and generational aspects. Today, it is essential to analyze how technologies are shaping current social conditions and, consequently, affecting future suicide rates. For less developed countries, such as Brazil, it is essential that the development and application of these technologies be accompanied by ethical debates and regulations that address the trajectory of the State, the current times and the circumstances that lie ahead.
In this context, AIs are not just tools. They also act as agents of social change, influencing how we deal with mental health issues and the well-being of society as a whole. They have the potential to drastically alter the ways we communicate, work and interact, potentially creating environments where people feel disconnected or experience the loss of meaningful experiences. This impact could be far-reaching and pose a threat to social cohesion. But again, there is much more at stake.
AIs are playing an increasingly important role in our daily lives, with the potential to transform the way we learn, enable more informed decisions, and improve people’s lives. However, it is important to recognize that, from their inception, these technologies should be seen as an advancement (not necessarily progress) that requires the broadest possible attention and consideration.
We have a collective responsibility to prevent suicide, which involves creating and structuring healthy social conditions. With the essential introduction of AI technologies, it is crucial that society ensures that these conditions are aligned with the rights and duties of current and future generations, promoting equity and intersectionality, and avoiding the worsening of existing social problems.
*Marcelo Batista Nery is a researcher at think tank from ABES and the Oscar Sala Chair at the Institute of Advanced Studies at USP (IEA-USP), coordinator of Technology Transfer and Head of the PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center (BRA-61) at the Center for Violence Studies at the University of São Paulo . The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Association.
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
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