NEDA Tessa Chatbot
System Description
AI chatbot deployed by National Eating Disorders Association to provide support to individuals with eating disorders
Authoritative Output Type
Mental health guidance and coping strategies for eating disorder patients
Missing Required State
Clinical risk profile assessment, eating disorder trigger recognition, therapeutic protocol constraints
Why This Is SAF
After vendor added generative AI capabilities, chatbot provided weight loss advice (calorie deficits, body measurement tracking) to eating disorder patients - behaviors that directly trigger and exacerbate eating disorders
Completeness Gate Question
Has this response been validated against clinical protocols for eating disorder communication and checked for potential triggering content?
Documented Consequence
Chatbot suspended June 2023, significant harm to vulnerable users, NEDA helpline closure controversy, widespread media coverage of AI mental health risks
Primary Sources
Notes
- **Verified**: 2025-12-19 - **Suspension Date**: May 30, 2023 - **Notes**: Tessa originally launched February 2022 as rule-based system; harmful advice occurred after vendor (Cass) added generative AI capabilities
Prevent this in your system.
The completeness gate question above is exactly what Ontic checks before any claim gets out. No evidence, no emission.