The Dual Impact of AI Chatbots: Boosting Wellness and Fueling Eating Disorders

Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots have been found to significantly improve physical activity, diet, and sleep patterns, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study showed that chatbots can motivate individuals to increase their daily step count, consume more fruits and vegetables, and improve sleep duration and quality. Text-based chatbots were found to be more effective than speech or voice-based AI, and the effectiveness of chatbots was observed across different age groups. While caution is needed, chatbots could supplement human coaching and offer round-the-clock support for a healthier lifestyle.