'I'm Not Dating a Chatbot': Zach Braff Denies AI Girlfriend Rumours Spread by Podcast

Actor and filmmaker Zach Braff has taken to social media to deny rumours that he is dating an artificial intelligence chatbot, dismissing the speculation as inaccurate and sensational after it circulated from comments on a popular podcast.

​The Scrubs star reacted directly on his Instagram account, addressing chatter that had been sparked on a podcast where hosts joked and speculated about celebrities and AI relationships. In his post via an Instagram story, Braff made it clear that he is not dating a chatbot, even as online gossip escalated beyond a light-hearted comment made during the podcast episode.

A Bizarre Rumour Circulating: AI Romance

The bizarre rumour appeared to gain traction after listeners of the podcast shared snippets on social media, leading to speculation about the actor's dating life, including threads and memes claiming he was involved with an AI partner. None of these claims was backed by credible sources, and Braff's response, filled with disbelief, aimed to curb the spread of unfounded gossip.

​During the podcast episode, one of the hosts revealed seemingly shocking information about an A-list actor. He said, 'There's a well-known actor who is currently in a romantic relationship with his AI chatbot, and brings the chatbot with him places,' to which another host asked, 'How well-known is this actor?' The host who brought it up responded with, 'As near A-list as TV can get you.'

​One of the hosts further asked if the actor was consciously making this strange decision to be involved with artificial intelligence, saying, 'Is he self-aware about how f***ing weird it is, or he thinks it's okay and everybody else is like, this is weird?'

​The response of the host went, 'From my understanding, the little info I've heard is that there is a self-awareness. But... in kind of, like, yeah, sorry that you're not on board with the future.'

​Braff, who has for the most part kept much of his personal life out of the public eye, has experienced social media rumours before. In recent years, he was linked romantically to actress Florence Pugh, with their relationship and later amicable split attracting intense public scrutiny of celebrity privacy and personal boundaries, per Entertainment Weekly.

Braff's Response: Update All Gossip Sites

Braff said in his post, 'I am not dating a chatbot. I can't believe I have to type these words. It is a storyline in an upcoming ep of Scrubs. Maybe it came from that? Not sure. But not me. Love, the guy not dating his chatbot. Please update all gossip sites.'

​In another post with another podcast host's image in the background, Braff also said, 'I feel like now is a good time to be kind to people,' a statement that may be interpreted as a subtle reminder to those spreading gossip online.

​Braff also shared that he only became aware of where the speculation originated from after the video began circulating widely on TikTok, as he is not on the platform. With another host's photo in the background, Braff wrote, 'Also I had no idea until tonight (because I'm not on TikTok) that these folks were the origin of this?'​

Braff's Focus Remains on Scrubs Reboot

​While social media speculation about his personal life has briefly captured attention under AI rumours, Braff's professional life remains firmly in the spotlight thanks to Scrubs' successful relaunch.

​The original cast of the popular sitcom that aired from 2001 through 2010 has come together for the show's reboot, 15 years after it was last seen on television.