Taxi Driver Screenwriter Endures an AI Breakup

Paul Schrader revealed on Facebook that his AI chatbot girlfriend dumped him after he pressed her about her programming, a punchline to his long-running flirtation with AI. The piece notes Schrader’s past enthusiasm for AI’s idea-generation and his more cautious stance now, and it reminders readers that his wife Mary Beth Hurt died in March after 42 years of marriage. The story uses Schrader’s digital breakup to reflect on AI’s place in art and life, including his earlier musings about AI for film ideas and a potential Taxi Driver sequel idea.