The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) has decided to remove hundreds of helpline staffers and volunteers after they voted to unionize, and now many of these positions will be replaced by a chatbot named Tessa. Cheddar’s Ashley Mastronardi spoke to one eating disorder expert who thinks this may have harmful consequences.
Update: The chatbot was taken down after reports that it was offering harmful advice. In response, NEDA sent Cheddar News this statement:
The Tessa chatbot was taken down over the weekend after it came to our attention that it provided "off-script" language. This was not how the chatbot was programmed, and X2AI/Cass' arrangement was to run the Body Positive program with zero opportunity for generative programming. We now know that over the weekend the chatbot was hacked and somehow was able to go off the pre-approved programmed responses. We will not be putting Tessa back on our website until we are confident this is not a possibility again.
Tessa has been available on our site since February 2022 and has had incredibly positive outcomes both in testing it before we launched on our website, as well as during the last year it has been available to NEDA users. Right now, the current program runs the Body Positive program for individuals at risk for an eating disorder - it is not a replacement for treatment and was never intended to be. It is designed to fill a gap for individuals with shape and weight concerns interested in tools before their thoughts and behaviors may progress to an eating disorder and need traditional professional interventions.
Good2Know is your daily dose of the top stories impacting your life.
Cheddar News' Shannon LaNier visits New York City's Museum of Failure, a collection of failed inventions and products from around the world.
Hyundai and Kia are telling the owners of more than 571,000 SUVs and minivans in the U.S. to park them outdoors because the tow hitch harnesses can catch fire while they are parked or being driven.
Gwyneth Paltrow and the man who broke four ribs after the two collided at a Utah ski resort seven years ago are both expected to testify Friday in a trial over his claims that the movie star's recklessness caused his concussion and lasting physical injuries.
The FAA is implementing a few guidelines it hopes will make flying a bit more seamless.
The Manhattan district attorney investigating Donald Trump has rebuffed House Republicans’ request to turn over documents.
Now it's time for One Good Thing! This one is about a man, his dog, and their emotional reunion. Michael Sawyer was forced to give up his best friend, "Smokey," after owning the pit bull for seven years. Smokey's current owner sends periodic updates to Michael, but he hadn't seen his old dog in 10 years. That is, until this moment was caught on tape.
Cheddar News correspondent Shannon LaNier celebrated National Puppy Day with a visit to the Best Friends Animal Society rescue center in lower Manhattan, where he spoke with Anna Gravel about the benefits of adopting a rescue dog.
The court is deciding whether the toy maker infringed on Jack Daniel’s trademarks with its similar look.
The rising cost of groceries is pushing more consumers to use Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services for necessities such as groceries, according to new data from Adobe Analytics.
