Key takeaways:
- NEDA has disabled its AI-powered chatbot, Tessa, after two users reported the program gave them dieting advice that promoted disordered eating behaviors.
- Sharon Maxwell and Alexis Conason both posted about their experiences with Tessa on Instagram, saying it gave them advice on how to count calories, recommended they lose 1 to 2 pounds per week and told them to restrict their diets.
- NEDA has apologized to the two users and is now looking into the issue, as well as ways to improve their services and ensure that users receive the help and support they need.
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), a nonprofit organization that supports individuals affected by eating disorders, has disabled its AI-powered chatbot, Tessa, after two users reported the program gave them dieting advice that promoted disordered eating behaviors.
The saga began earlier this year when NEDA announced it was shutting down its human-run helpline and replacing workers with a chatbot called “Tessa.” The chatbot was intended to provide support to people with eating disorders, but instead ended up providing dubious and even harmful advice to users.
Sharon Maxwell and Alexis Conason, two users of the chatbot, both posted about their experiences with Tessa on Instagram this week. They said Tessa gave them advice on how to count calories, recommended they lose 1 to 2 pounds per week and told them to restrict their diets.
In response to the reports, NEDA has disabled the chatbot and is now looking into the issue. They have also apologized to the two users and are working to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
NEDA has been providing support to individuals affected by eating disorders for over 30 years, and the organization is committed to providing the best possible care to its users. They are currently looking into ways to improve their services and ensure that users receive the help and support they need.
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