Oscar-nominated director Paul Schrader, 79, has revealed that he was recently dumped by his artificial intelligence girlfriend. The Hollywood filmmaker, best known for writing the classic film Taxi Driver, shared details of his private life, stating that he had "procured an online AI girlfriend." However, despite his efforts to connect, the AI ended the relationship after he attempted to explore the limits of its programming.
Schrader's Disappointment with AI Relationship
In a Facebook post, Schrader expressed his disappointment, saying, "Out of a desire to understand male/female interaction in our matrix, I procured an online AI girlfriend. What a disappointment." He elaborated, "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."
Previous Comments on AI
Schrader has previously discussed the use of AI for creative pursuits. In April, he shared on social media that "bad [artificial] 'human' imagery swamps FB like a foul tsunami." He added, "I've put my hopes for AI storytelling on hold. I knew it was about to move VERY fast, but I thought it would get better at a rate [similar] to getting bigger."
Personal Loss and Career Highlights
In March of this year, Schrader's wife, Mary Beth Hurt, died at age 79 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2023. The couple had been married since 1983 and shared two children. Schrader's Hollywood career spans more than 50 years. His most recent film, Oh, Canada, premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. His other notable works include American Gigolo, Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, and First Reformed.
Legal Issues
Last year, Schrader was accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed by a former assistant. She claimed that Schrader exposed his penis to her in his hotel room at Cannes. Schrader denied the claims, calling them "sensational, false and misleading accusations." In an open letter, he stated that he and the assistant shared "two kisses on the lips" and "never had sex in any form." A judge granted his motion to dismiss the case in August.
