Controversial Chatbot for Eating Disorders Taken Offline.

The National Eating Disorders Association's chatbot, Tessa, was taken down after it provided weight loss advice to users. The chatbot was designed to help prevent eating disorders, but artificial intelligence-related capabilities added later on caused it to dispense diet tips instead. The controversy has sparked a debate about the use of AI in mental health, as companies turn to it as a possible solution to a surging mental health crisis and severe shortage of clinical treatment providers.