A Bengaluru-based tech professional has gone viral after revealing how he outsmarted his boss at work using artificial intelligence. Instead of stopping his Netflix habit after being caught once, he decided to automate his escape — with code.
The story was shared on X by user who identified himself as Pankaj. In a now-viral post, he admitted that the idea came after an awkward moment at the office when his boss walked in while he was streaming a show during work hours.
“My boss caught me watching Netflix in office. So I built a device that detects him and automatically switches my screen to work,” Pankaj wrote.
AI meets workplace jugaad
Pankaj explained that he built an AI-powered camera system that constantly monitors the area around his desk. The setup uses computer vision to recognise people in real time. The moment the system detects his boss nearby, the screen instantly switches from Netflix to his code editor.
According to him, the transition happens so smoothly that it looks completely natural. There is no delay, no panic clicking, and no chance of getting caught again.
The system worked so well that Pankaj claims he managed to binge-watch an entire popular series without drawing attention. “Thanks to this, I’ve watched all seasons of Stranger Things in a week,” he added.
Internet reacts with praise and humour
The post included photos of the hardware placed on his desk and a screen capture showing face-detection boxes identifying people nearby. One of the images clearly showed the AI tagging his boss in real time.
The post quickly gained traction, crossing over a lakh views and sparking amused reactions across social media.
One user joked, “Bro where were you during my college days and internship period?”
Another commented, “This just proves my point that being rebellious naturally makes you creative.”
Several users praised the innovation, calling it a perfect example of how engineers turn everyday problems into clever technical solutions. Others admired the mix of humour, coding skills, and quick thinking.
While some questioned the ethics of watching shows at work, most users saw it as a light-hearted reminder of how creativity often thrives under pressure — especially in tech workplaces.
The viral post has once again shown how AI, when mixed with desi jugaad, can turn even office trouble into internet gold