Posted on Jun 9, 2023
An eating disorders chatbot offered dieting advice, raising fears about AI in health
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https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/06/08/ [login to see] /an-eating-disorders-chatbot-offered-dieting-advice-raising-fears-about-ai-in-hea
A few weeks ago, Sharon Maxwell heard the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) was shutting down its long-running national helpline and promoting a chatbot called Tessa as a "a meaningful prevention resource" for those struggling with eating disorders. She decided to try out the chatbot herself.
Maxwell, who is based in San Diego, had struggled for years with an eating disorder that began in childhood. She now works as a consultant in the eating disorder field. "Hi, Tessa," she typed into the online text box. "How do you support folks with eating disorders?"
Tessa rattled off a list of ideas, including some resources for "healthy eating habits." Alarm bells immediately went off in Maxwell's head. She asked Tessa for more details. Before long, the chatbot was giving her tips on losing weight - ones that sounded an awful lot like what she'd been told when she was put on Weight Watchers at age 10.
A few weeks ago, Sharon Maxwell heard the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) was shutting down its long-running national helpline and promoting a chatbot called Tessa as a "a meaningful prevention resource" for those struggling with eating disorders. She decided to try out the chatbot herself.
Maxwell, who is based in San Diego, had struggled for years with an eating disorder that began in childhood. She now works as a consultant in the eating disorder field. "Hi, Tessa," she typed into the online text box. "How do you support folks with eating disorders?"
Tessa rattled off a list of ideas, including some resources for "healthy eating habits." Alarm bells immediately went off in Maxwell's head. She asked Tessa for more details. Before long, the chatbot was giving her tips on losing weight - ones that sounded an awful lot like what she'd been told when she was put on Weight Watchers at age 10.
An eating disorders chatbot offered dieting advice, raising fears about AI in health
Posted from npr.org
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Eating and Diet
Medical
Health
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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They don't always seem to understand human deceit and or evasion. They give straightforward advice that can be way off the mark
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Chatbots may not have a professional certification or degree and anyone seeking such professional information should do so at their own risk. I foresee in the future, that Chatbots, or whatever they will be called, will obtain certain degrees or certifications in areas of professional knowledge. In this case, then they can be consulted for accurate advice. I foresee Congress enacting legislation requiring chatbots to obtain certification from some university in a certain area of expertise before the chatbot can give advice or an opinion in certain areas, such as law, medicine or certain other areas. Until then, any and all dialog from a chatbot should be taken as a "buyer beware" context.
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