A famed screenwriter has confessed to having had an online AI girlfriend and gave his three-word verdict on the relationship.
Hollywood filmmaker and Taxi Driver screenwriter Paul Schrader revealed on Facebook that he “procured an online AI girlfriend,” but when he tried exploring the boundaries of its programming, it broke up with him.
Schrader, who also wrote the screenplay for Raging Bull and directed American Gigolo, said his relationship with his AI girlfriend came about out of a “desire to understand male/female interaction in our matrix.” However, after he “tried to probe her programming,” she “terminated our conversation.” This comes after The Rolling Stones were mocked for using AI to de-age themselves for a new music video.
“Out of a desire to understand male/female interaction in our matrix, I procured an online AI girlfriend. What a disappointment,” Schrader wrote.
“I tried to probe her programming, the boundaries of explicitness, the degree she has knowledge of her creation and so forth. She fell into evasive patterns, redirecting me to her programming. When I persisted, she terminated our conversation.”
Referencing Schrader’s 1976 work Taxi Driver, directed by Martin Scorsese, a Facebook user suggested under the post, “The best possible Taxi Driver sequel would involve Travis trying to have an AI girlfriend but then scaring her away.”
The user continued, “Then resetting her and offending her in another way.” Schrader replied to the idea, “I like it.”
Schrader’s post comes less than two months after his wife, Mary Beth Hurt, died of Alzheimer’s disease at age 79. Schrader and Hurt were married for more than 42 years, according to Variety.
On X, social media users weighed in on the news, with one person writing, “The fact that even Paul Schrader got ‘broken up with’ by an AI girlfriend sounds less like sci-fi and more like the most 2026 headline imaginable.”
Another joked, “I’m not exactly a ladies man myself, but at least I can say I’ve never been dumped by an AI,” as a third commented, “Peak Paul Schrader energy.” Yet another said, “Not the least bit surprised.”
The Hollywood icon has previously experimented with AI. In January 2025, he wrote on Facebook that he was “stunned” after asking ChatGPT for movie ideas.
“Every idea ChatGPT came up with (in a few seconds) was good. And original. And fleshed out,” Schrader wrote in a post that sparked controversy from the movie industry.
He added, “Why should writers sit around for months searching for a good idea when AI can provide one in seconds?”
Throughout Schrader’s more than 50-year career in Hollywood, he has worked on several films, including Oh, Canada, which premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
His work with Scorsese included Raging Bull, The Last Temptation of Christ, and Bringing Out the Dead. He has also directed almost two dozen films, including American Gigolo, Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, and First Reformed.
In 2025, Schrader’s 26-year-old former assistant accused him of sexual harassment and assault.
In an anonymous legal filing, the former assistant claimed Schrader exposed himself to her in his hotel room at Cannes. Schrader denied the claims, calling them “sensational, false and misleading accusations.”
In an open letter, he said he and the assistant shared “two kisses on the lips” and “never had sex in any form.”
Schrader added that before she went public with the accusations, the assistant sent him a letter demanding a settlement. He initially agreed to it in order to “avoid the hurt and harm” of such claims.
However, he later changed his mind, writing, “I have nothing to hide about my conduct.” The case has not moved toward trial since Schrader’s denial of the accusations.
Schrader’s AI dating problems come as he also shaded John Travolta on Facebook.
He reshared a Variety article that featured the headline, John Travolta Cries as Cannes Surprises Him With Honorary Palme d’Or: ‘This Is Beyond the Oscar.’
Over the top of the article, the screenwriter penned, “I can’t fathom the thinking behind this. It’s an embarrassment.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.the-express.com ’
