The First Chatbot’s Multiple Personalities

Joseph Weizenbaum’s 1966 program ELIZA gained historical significance as the first chatbot to simulate human conversation through a mock-therapeutic persona. While originally intended as an experiment in machine interaction, the program’s reception highlighted an enduring human tendency to attribute genuine empathy to algorithms. This early development remains a primary reference point in current discussions regarding the psychological risks and ethical implications of using automated systems for mental health support.