Zach Braff shuts down rumors he has an AI chatbot girlfriend: 'Please update all gossip sites'

"I'm not dating a chatbot," Braff wrote on his story alongside a screenshot from the podcast. "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. Love, The guy not dating his chatbot. Please update all gossip sites."

In another slide in his stories, Braff added that he "had no idea until tonight" that the podcast was where the rumor started, since he doesn't have a TikTok account.

In the Dec. 16 episode of the podcast, hosted by Max Silvestri, Jenny Slate and Gabe Liedman, the trio were speaking to actor Kumail Nanjiani, when Silvestri brought up that he knows of an actor who has an AI girlfriend.

When pressed for more details, Silvestri said the actor is as to "near A-list as TV can get you," before adding that he's "also done films." When Silvestri later texted the group the actor's name, Nanjiani responded by saying, ""Perfect! I will say, good description, not A-list."

After further discussion, Slate jumped in saying, "we can't put this on our podcast. It's not nice," with Braff screenshotting that portion and adding the caption, "I feel like now is a good time to be kind to people."

Silvestri defended himself on his Instagram story in response to Braff's social media post, stating, he has "never mentioned this man's name in my life."

"Aren't there more important stories in the world right now? Between tariffs and energy prices, the average American can barely afford to charge their girlfriend," he said.

The two dated for a few years before quietly calling it quits in early 2022. The two dealt with scrutiny during their relationship due to their 21-year age gap. 

Pugh was 24 years old and Braff was 45 years old when they first got together.

In the past, Braff has dated actresses Mandy Moore, Shiri Appleby and Taylor Bagley.