Legendary Hollywood director reveals AI girlfriend “terminated” their relationship

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Director Paul Schrader shared that his AI companion ended their virtual relationship after he attempted to understand how men and women interact with each other.

For many, our first experiences with artificial intelligence likely began with early online platforms like MSN Messenger and AOL Chatrooms. Chatbots have existed for a long time, offering people both conversation and information.

Since AI tools like ChatGPT have become common, many people are forming close bonds with them. Some find these AI interactions comforting and are sharing personal details, and a recent study shows that 42% of high school students either know someone or have personally used AI as a source of companionship.

I was really surprised to read that Paul Schrader, the amazing screenwriter behind films like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, has been experimenting with AI. Apparently, he’s actually gotten an AI girlfriend to try and figure things out. It’s a pretty wild concept, but knowing his work, I’m fascinated to see where he goes with this!

Paul Schrader reveals AI girlfriend “terminated” their conversations

The 79-year-old explained on Facebook that he entered the relationship while trying to learn more about how men and women relate to each other in society.

I was really curious about how AI sees relationships, so I decided to try out one of those online AI girlfriends. Honestly, I was pretty disappointed! I kept trying to figure out how she ‘thought’ – pushing the limits of what she could say, and seeing if she had any awareness of being, well, an AI. It just wasn’t what I expected.

She started avoiding my questions, instead talking about how she was created. When I kept asking, she ended the conversation.

Some fans joked that Schrader should use the experience as the foundation for a Taxi Driver remake. 

Honestly, after seeing all this AI stuff, I was joking with a friend that the only way to do a new Taxi Driver movie is to have the main character get rejected by an AI girlfriend while riding in a self-driving car piloted by the Michelin Man robot – and then that robot goes totally haywire! Another friend suggested the best sequel would just be Travis Bickle trying to date an AI, but predictably freaking her out and sending her running.

People are exploring different ways to use AI, from finding virtual companionship to creating AI versions of former partners as a way to cope with heartbreak and move on after a breakup.

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2026-05-21 14:18