From Skepticism to Support: Addressing Clinician and Patient Concerns About AI in Eating Disorder Care.

Journal: The International journal of eating disorders
Published Date: May 2, 2025

Abstract

While Linardon and colleagues reveal cautious attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) in eating disorder care, our recent empirical evidence suggests that specialized, expert-developed AI interventions can effectively support individuals at risk for eating disorders. However, unlike specialized AI, general-purpose AI (systems designed for broad tasks without specific clinical fine-tuning) often produces harmful content for eating disorder-related prompts, highlighting the need for specialized systems with strong ethical guardrails. Responsible AI integration requires balancing legitimate clinical concerns with evidence-based implementation, positioning AI not as a replacement for human providers, but as a complementary tool to expand access to quality care for the many individuals unable to receive traditional treatment.

Authors

  • Nicholas C Jacobson
    Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, United States.
  • Elizabeth W Lampe
    Dartmouth College, Dartmouth Hitchcock, Lebanon, USA.
  • Ellen E Fitzsimmons-Craft
    Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA.

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