National Eating Disorder Association Replaces Crisis Hotline Workers with AI Chatbot Amid Unionization Efforts

Workers at the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) crisis hotline unionized.
NEDA announced that they would replace the hotline staff with a chatbot named Tessa.
Tessa is designed to deliver an interactive eating disorder prevention program called "Body Positive."
The implementation of Tessa raises concerns about accountability and responsibility.
The former hotline staff expressed disappointment and heartbreak over losing their jobs and believe that a chatbot is no substitute for human empathy.