“Why is ChatGPT open?” Stranger Things fans spiral after spotting AI in behind-the-scenes footage

Fans of Stranger Things are once again dissecting every frame tied to the show — this time not from the Upside Down, but from a behind-the-scenes documentary.

A recently released making-of feature has sparked online speculation after viewers noticed what appears to be a ChatGPT tab open on a laptop screen in the background of one shot.

The moment, quickly spread across social media, with fans questioning whether generative AI played any role in shaping the show’s final season.

Screenshots of the moment circulated widely on X and Reddit, prompting reactions ranging from confusion to outright panic.

“Why is ChatGPT open?” one fan wrote, while others jumped to conclusions that AI may have been used during the writing or editing process.

There is no evidence that ChatGPT was used to write Stranger Things

To be clear, there is no evidence that ChatGPT or any AI tool was used to write or influence Stranger Things. The documentary does not mention AI involvement, and neither Netflix nor the Duffer Brothers has commented on the screenshot or the speculation surrounding it.

The frenzy appears to reflect broader anxieties about AI’s growing presence in creative industries — particularly in television and film, where writers and actors have previously raised concerns about automation and authorship.

In this case, however, the visible ChatGPT window could have been open for any number of reasons unrelated to the show’s creative process. It's important to note, that it is possible to use ChatGPT in the writing process while keeping it authentic.

Still, the timing has amplified fan reactions. The Stranger Things finale has already divided viewers, and the idea — however unproven — that AI might be involved has only added fuel to the debate.

The takeaway

For now, the viral moment remains exactly that: a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it background detail, elevated by online speculation rather than confirmed fact.

Until Netflix or the show’s creators address it directly, the ChatGPT sighting appears to be more internet mystery than creative revelation.

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