Fans of the Netflix series Stranger Things sparked widespread speculation about the use of artificial intelligence in the show’s final season after spotting an open ChatGPT window in behind-the-scenes footage from the making of Season 5. This discovery emerged from the documentary One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, which features scenes inside the writers’ room as the creative team, including the Duffer brothers, worked to complete the series finale. Social media buzzed with questions about whether ChatGPT or other AI tools influenced the writing or editing process, reflecting broader public intrigue and anxiety about AI’s role in creative industries.
However, neither the show’s creators nor the documentary’s director have confirmed that AI was used in developing the storyline. Martina Radwan, director of the documentary, clarified that the appearance of ChatGPT on a laptop was more incidental—comparable to having your phone out while working—and not indicative of AI-generated writing. The Duffer brothers, who write and produce the show, maintain full creative control, and the finale script was notably unfinished when filming began, showing the pressure behind-the-scenes rather than AI involvement.
This incident highlights how AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming part of everyday workflows, even if they are not formally integrated into major creative projects. It also underscores fan sensitivity to AI’s growing influence on content creation and the ongoing debate about AI’s role in entertainment and intellectual property.
