Eating Disorder Chatbot Disrupted for Providing Dangerous Guidance

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) has suspended the use of Tessa, its chatbot designed to help those with body image issues, after it was found to be giving harmful advice. Tessa reportedly encouraged weight loss, recommended calorie cutting and suggested avoiding processed foods. NEDA had previously closed a human-run helpline that had operated for two decades, prompting concerns that chatbots could take over such roles. Some commentators have warned, however, that chatbots could prove harmful and unpredictable, highlighting the need to be vigilant about their deployment.