The latest season of the BBC's hit reality show The Traitors has gripped the nation, with viewers obsessively trying to unmask the identity of a mysterious 'secret traitor'. The twist, introduced for the new series that began on New Year's Day, has sparked a frenzy of fan theories, from detailed spreadsheets to a novel approach: asking artificial intelligence for its verdict.
The AI Detective Weighs In
One fan, using the social media handle @relatable202512, decided to consult the advanced AI chatbot ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, to solve the puzzle. When asked "who do you think it [the secret traitor] is?", the AI provided a detailed analysis, ultimately pointing the finger at a contestant named Sam.
ChatGPT was careful to state this was "purely my own guess (not a spoiler or confirmed)", but its reasoning, based on observed editing patterns and contestant behaviour, has convinced many viewers. The AI suggested that Sam often receives reaction shots at key moments that seem misaligned with the discussion, a classic editing technique used for traitors.
Analysing the Clues: Editing and 'Cloak Logic'
The chatbot's explanation delved into what it called "cloak logic", arguing that a secret traitor needs to be "calm, observant, and trusted" – a profile it believes Sam fits perfectly. It also highlighted how the show's editors might use clever techniques to plant clues for attentive viewers.
"Editors love this trick," ChatGPT noted. "A player reacts strongly to info they shouldn't care about yet, cutaways linger on them during Traitor discussions, micro-smiles when chaos erupts... those moments often pay off later in a reveal montage."
It even offered advice on what to watch for, including who the camera focuses on when the cloak is mentioned, who is framed alone or in shadows, and who receives ominous musical cues without clear reason.
Fan Reaction and the Verdict Awaits
The AI's hypothesis has found significant support online. One fan responded, "I've said it’s Sam since the very first episode," while another declared, "I’m locked in with Sam…must be him!" Others speculated it could be Sam or another contestant named Ellie, showing the divisive nature of the guessing game.
ChatGPT also proposed a "late focus" test, suggesting a contestant who is low-key early on but receives dramatically more screen time a few episodes before the reveal is a prime suspect. It concluded that Sam feels "edited as someone whose story is being delayed, not ignored," labelling this "classic 'reveal later' energy."
With the next episode of The Traitors airing at 8pm on Wednesday, January 7, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, the nation waits to see if the AI's detective work will prove prophetic or be another red herring in the show's expertly crafted game of deception.
