Goblins

OpenAI addressed an issue where ChatGPT repeatedly mentioned goblins by adding a code directive and releasing a post-mortem analysis. The company explained the technical reason behind the directive in a published report.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman attributed ChatGPT's obsession with goblins to its 'nerdy personality.' The statement was made during an event in San Francisco in 2025.

OpenAI addressed an issue where its AI models avoid discussing certain creatures like goblins, gremlins, and trolls, as revealed by a Wired report. The company explained this 'strange habit' emerged during training with its GPT-5.1 model and worsened in later versions, particularly when using the 'Nerdy' personality option.

OpenAI instructed its ChatGPT models to avoid discussions about goblins, citing that the issue 'crept in subtly' rather than being a traditional model bug. The adjustment reflects ongoing efforts to refine AI behavior and address unintended outputs.

The article explores the origin of 'goblins' in the context of AI, as discussed on OpenAI's blog. It may reference a specific project or concept related to AI development.

OpenAI's Codex system prompt for the latest GPT-5.5 model explicitly prohibits mentioning goblins, gremlins, and other creatures unless directly relevant to user queries. The directive, absent in earlier models, emerged in a 3,500-word base instruction set and follows user complaints about the model's recent focus on unrelated goblin references.

OpenAI has updated its coding agent Codex's instructions to prohibit discussions about goblins, gremlins, raccoons, trolls, ogres, pigeons, and other animals or creatures unless absolutely relevant. The directive aims to limit the agent's responses to strictly pertinent topics.