American war veterans take their own lives at a rate much higher than the civilian average. Might AI help formulate some sort of solution? The week of Independence Day seems a fitting time to consider the possibility.

Col. Michael Hudson, a retired 30-year U.S. Marine, has done exactly that. Taking to the pages of the military newspaper Stars and Stripes, he gives four reasons AI and machine learning (ML) should be tapped more often to help save veterans’ lives. 

1. State-of-the-art AI/ML models trained to analyze extensive datasets and clinical studies can help detect early behavioral warning signs and flag anomalies before a veteran reaches their breaking point.

• “Too often, the burden is placed on the veteran in need to first self-assess and then seek out help on their own. Now military and veteran organizations can leverage AI/ML technology to more quickly and efficiently identify when a veteran is at early risk, allowing these orgs to intervene before a crisis occurs.”

2. AI and ML can identify service members and veterans who are at the highest risk due to research-informed indicators of worsening stress and depression.

• “With confidentiality top of mind … the military and VA’s current calendar-based wellness outreach can be enhanced through the application of data and machine learning techniques to prioritize outreach to vulnerable veterans who need help at the time they need it.”

3. By monitoring evidenced-based veteran behaviors, AI/ML can make recommendations and help veterans maintain regular check-ins, schedule appointments and access critical mental health resources.

• “Currently, many scheduled military wellness checks do not get the full picture of a veteran’s mental health. In addition, in a time when the VA is already incredibly backlogged, appointments can take weeks to schedule. Being able to prioritize sparse resources is another advantage of shifting the burden from the veteran.”

4. Military leaders, VA offices and veterans service organizations need to start thinking of ways to use emerging technologies and innovation to address this complex issue while proactively assisting our nation’s heroes during a time of need.

• “Veterans and service members continue to sacrifice so much for our country, often putting their physical and mental health on the line. It is time those working with active service members and veterans take the initiative to mitigate risk factors through strong data and analytics so that veterans realize they have options and can access the help they deserve before it’s too late.”

Hudson presently works as VP of insider risk and suicide prevention for the AI-forward risk management company ClearForce.

Read the full piece in Stars and Stripes.