Zach Braff dismisses rumours circulating online he is dating an artificial intelligence chatbot
Taking to social media in disbelief, Scrubs actor Zach Braff has dismissed rumours circulating online he is dating an artificial intelligence chatbot.
Zach Braff has dismissed rumours circulating online he is dating an artificial intelligence chatbot.
Telling followers online he was surprised the claim had gained traction, the 50-year-old Scrubs actor addressed the speculation in a message posted to his Instagram Stories on Thursday (13.03.26) after the theory began circulating online. Zach, known for his role in the television series Scrubs, suggested the confusion may have originated from a storyline in an upcoming episode of the show.
The rumours had spread across social media platforms before Zach issued a public response to clarify the situation.
He said: “I’m not dating a chatbot.”
Zach added: “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.”
Zach ended the message by writing “love” and referring to himself as “the guy not dating his chatbot”.
Shortly afterwards, Zach returned to Instagram after learning the rumour may have originated from a discussion on the podcast I Need You Guys, hosted by Jenny Slate, Max Silvestri and Gabe Liedman.
The episode, released in December, also featured actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani as a guest.
Zach said: “I had no idea until tonight (because I’m not on TikTok) that these folks were the origin of this?”
He added: “I feel like now is a good time to be kind to people.”
According to reporting by Page Six, the claim began as a so-called blind item discussed during the podcast episode. During the discussion, Max referred to an unnamed actor who he said “brings the chatbot with him” to different places.
Kumail asked whether the actor being discussed was “A-list”.
Max replied the individual was “As near A-list as TV can get you.”
Kumail then asked whether the unnamed actor was “self-aware about how f****** weird it is” or if he “thinks it’s okay”.
Max said: “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’.”
Zach recently reprised his role as Dr John ‘J.D.’ Dorian in the revival of Scrubs, which premiered on 25 February.
The new season also features returning cast members Donald Faison, who plays Dr Christopher Turk, and Sarah Chalke, who plays Dr Elliot Reid.
New additions to the cast include Vanessa Bayer, appearing as Sibby, and Joel Kim Booster, who plays Dr Eric Park.
Zach has also appeared in films including Garden State and directed the film A Good Person.
In his personal life, Zach was reportedly linked to musician Frances Whitney in 2024 after the pair were seen having dinner together.
Before that, Zach was in a relationship with actress Florence Pugh from 2019 until early 2022.
