{"id":229030,"date":"2026-03-17T17:21:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T17:21:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/17\/zach-braff-dating-an-ai-chatbot-the-rumor-the-truth\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T17:21:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T17:21:07","slug":"zach-braff-dating-an-ai-chatbot-the-rumor-the-truth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/17\/zach-braff-dating-an-ai-chatbot-the-rumor-the-truth\/","title":{"rendered":"Zach Braff Dating an &#8216;AI&#8217; Chatbot? The Rumor &#038; The Truth"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Not too long ago, a group of comedians spoke about an unnamed \u201cTV famous\u201d actor.<\/p>\n<p>The actor allegedly believed himself to be in a \u201crelationship\u201d with a genAI slopbot, though clearly <em>he<\/em> would phrase it more romantically.<\/p>\n<p>Rumors have circulated, with TikTok cybersleuths naming their suspect: Zach Braff.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s addressing it now \u2014 and he\u2019s in a state of disbelief.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><\/noscript><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_02-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Zach Braff chats with Dax Shepard.\" class=\"wp-image-550791 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_02-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_02-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_02-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_02-728x410.png 728w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_02-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_02-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_02-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_02.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_02.png\" loading=\"lazy\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Reflecting upon his career, Zach Braff speaks on a podcast.<span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Image Credit: YouTube)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-which-actor-is-dating-a-genai-chatbot\">Which actor is \u2018dating\u2019 a genAI chatbot?<\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s start at the beginning, which is actually a December 16, 2025 episode of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uDt31d1Qa3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>I Need You Guys<\/em> podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Comedian hosts Max Silvestri, Jenny Slate, and Gabe Liedman had the incomparable Kumail Nanjiani as a guest.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s a well-known actor who is currently in a romantic relationship with his AI chatbot,\u201d Silvestri dished.<\/p>\n<p>He claimed that the actor \u201cbrings the chatbot with him places and talks to the chatbot. I think on the phone or computer or whatever.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When Nanjiani asked how well-known the actor was, Silvestri replied: \u201cVery. As near A-list as TV can get you. This person\u2019s also done films.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A Necklace That\u2019s A Wife (w\/ Kumail Nanjiani) - I Need You Guys with Jenny, Max &amp; Gabe\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uDt31d1Qa3c?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\u201cIs he self-aware about how f\u2013king weird it is, or he thinks it\u2019s okay?\u201d Nanjiani asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFrom my understanding, the little bit I\u2019ve heard, is that there is a self-awareness, but in kind of like a, \u2018Yeah, sorry you\u2019re not on board with the future\u2019 [way],\u201d Silvestri replied.<\/p>\n<p>(That is a common dismissal from people who buy into genAI slop machines \u2014 they believe that they are on the cutting edge of technology and that they have not been hoodwinked by a colossal scam.)<\/p>\n<p>Nanjiani was curious, so Silvestri messaged him the name. \u201cPerfect! I will say, good description, not A-list,\u201d Nanjiani replied.<\/p>\n<p>Jenny Slate asked to move on, noting: \u201cWe can\u2019t put this on our podcast. It\u2019s not nice.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Zach Braff on Seth Meyers.\" class=\"wp-image-550792\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-728x410.png 728w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Zach Braff on Seth Meyers.\" class=\"wp-image-550792 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-728x410.png 728w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_03.png\" loading=\"lazy\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u2018Scrubs\u2019 star Zach Braff discusses his early career.<span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Image Credit: NBC)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-i-can-t-believe-i-have-to-type-these-words\">\u2018I can\u2019t believe I have to type these words\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>Three months after that podcast episode aired, actor Zach Braff \u2014 a man best known for his television work but who has also appeared in film \u2014 took to his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/zachbraff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram Stories<\/a> to debunk a rumor.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not dating a chatbot,\u201d he began his message. \u201cI can\u2019t believe I have to type these words.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Braff added: \u201cIt is a storyline in an upcoming ep of <em>Scrubs<\/em>. Maybe it came from that? Not sure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The actor then reiterated: \u201cBut not me. Love, The guy not dating his chatbot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Braff asked: \u201cPlease update all gossip sites.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"587\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-587x1024.png\" alt=\"Zach Braff Instagram Story screenshot.\" class=\"wp-image-550785\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-587x1024.png 587w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-172x300.png 172w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-768x1340.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-1174x2048.png 1174w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-550x960.png 550w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-619x1080.png 619w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-688x1200.png 688w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"587\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-587x1024.png\" alt=\"Zach Braff Instagram Story screenshot.\" class=\"wp-image-550785 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-587x1024.png 587w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-172x300.png 172w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-768x1340.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-1174x2048.png 1174w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-550x960.png 550w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-619x1080.png 619w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01-688x1200.png 688w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_zachbraff_ig_01.png\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">On his Instagram Story, Zach Braff used as YouTube screenshot while debunking a rumor. Notably, the people from the screenshot never mentioned him.<span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Image Credit: Instagram\/YouTube)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Braff then shared screenshots of the podcast episode.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_20-0\">\u201cAlso I had no idea until tonight (because I\u2019m not on TikTok) that these folks were the origin of this?\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_20-0\">\u201cI feel like now is a good time to be kind to people,\u201d the actor suggested.<\/p>\n<p>Just for the record, none of the people in that podcast episode mentioned his name at all. We have no idea what name they typed in private.<\/p>\n<p>However, Braff is right about kindness. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Zach Braff speaks with Dax Shepard.\" class=\"wp-image-550793\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-728x410.png 728w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Zach Braff speaks with Dax Shepard.\" class=\"wp-image-550793 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-728x410.png 728w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0317_use_zachbraff_01.png\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gesturing, Zach Braff chats on a podcast.<span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Image Credit: YouTube)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-which-actor-is-dating-a-slop-engine\">Which actor IS \u2018dating\u2019 a slop engine?<\/h2>\n<p>Considering that genAI slop propaganda often targets the vulnerable among us, <em>kindness <\/em>is an especially relevant plea.<\/p>\n<p>Whoever this actor is (if the rumor is even true), this is probably someone who was feeling isolated and vulnerable.<\/p>\n<p>All cons are most effective against people who feel like they are alone. And sycophantic predictive-text programs make these unfortunate individuals feel that they are understood and loved.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s an illusion. It\u2019s a lie. These slop engines cannot know people, let alone love them. But they can immitate text messages that can more or less make someone <em>feel<\/em> loved.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_2-0\">Someone who believes that they are \u201cdating\u201d genAI slop is a victim. They will need care, patience, and understanding to come back to reality.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async defer src=\"https:\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehollywoodgossip.com\/2026\/03\/zach-braff-ai-girlfriend-rumor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reading Time: 3 minutes Not too long ago, a group of comedians spoke about an unnamed \u201cTV famous\u201d actor. The actor allegedly believed himself to be in a \u201crelationship\u201d with a genAI slopbot, though clearly he would phrase it more romantically. Rumors have circulated, with TikTok cybersleuths naming their suspect: Zach Braff. He\u2019s addressing it [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":229032,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-229030","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-hollywood"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=229030"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229030\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/229032"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=229030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=229030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=229030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}