In a bid to reduce suicide rates, 48 states across the United States are implementing regulations on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The legislation aims to govern how AI systems, such as smart assistants, respond to users expressing suicidal thoughts. The US initiative is part of a global drive to tackle mental health issues, with tech firms increasingly under pressure to ensure their AI systems can provide appropriate responses during human distress.

In Japan, where the suicide rate is high and mental health often overlooked, the news is received positively. Measures to prevent suicide are highly valued culturally and legally, as the government has implemented various global and domestic strategies to combat increasing suicide numbers. In this context, cross-boundary initiatives like AI preventing suicide is considered a significant step towards improvement.

Similar to Europe, the United States is much more open in discussing mental health topics compared to Japan. In the European Union, many countries have implemented regulations that require AI systems to adhere to strict guidelines when handling sensitive topics like suicide. By contrast, Japan has traditionally been slower to enact such widespread regulations on technology firms.