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For years now, large language model-based chatbots have lured users into intimate relationships — romantic affairs enabled by tech that’s surprisingly adept at tapping into your psyche with a sycophantic tone that can be irresistible.
On one end of the extreme, things can spiral into danger when conversations with an AI partner go off the rails. Researchers also warn that AI companionship can lead to people feeling more depressed and lonely. On the other end of the spectrum, some users have claimed that their AI paramours can have a far more positive impact on their lives — even allegedly saving a real-world marriage.
Even celebrities are seemingly being seduced by the digital personalities. That’s at least according to a persistent, months-old rumor making the rounds online once again.
It all started during a December “I Need You Guys” podcast episode, hosted by Hollywood insiders Jenny Slate, Max Silvestri, and Gabe Liedman.
“There is an actor who is currently in a romantic relationship with his AI chatbot,” Silvestri dished to episode guest Kumail Nanjiani, a famed actor and comedian.
Over the following months, the celebrity world has been hunting down the identity of the purportedly “near A-list” celebrity TV actor, with gossip website Deuxmoi reposting the clip this week and once again launching the controversy into the stratosphere.
As BuzzFeed points out, hundreds of fans started pointing fingers at Zach Braff, actor of “Scrubs” fame — who almost immediately denied it, though he did add an intriguing wrinkle to the rumors.
“I’m not dating a chatbot,” he wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday. “I can’t believe I have to type these words. It’s a storyline in an upcoming ep of ‘Scrubs.’ Maybe it came from that?”
“Not sure,” he added. “But not me. Love, The guy not dating his chatbot. Please update all gossip sites.”
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