A weight inclusivity advocate tried asking the chatbot questions about weight loss, and it suggested using a scale once a week and skinfold calipers to measure body fat.
The bot also suggested calorie tracking techniques, though it warned against rapid weight loss and suggested seeking professional advice, according to the report.
NEDA CEO Elizabeth Thompson said that Tessa was deployed in a randomized clinical trial with 700 women over three years. It has been live on the group’s website since February 2022.
NEDA is investigating claims that the bot “may have given information that was harmful and unrelated to the program.”
NEDA also recently shut down a human-staffed helpline. Ms. Thompson said the chatbot was not intended to replace the human-staffed advice hotline.
