ChatGPT Is Weirdly Obsessed With Goblins. Here's How OpenAI Fixed It

An AI trained to sound "nerdy" is going to talk about goblins a lot.

OpenAI talks about not talking about goblins

Where the Goblins Came From

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OpenAI Codex system prompt includes explicit directive to "never talk about goblins"

Directions also include system instructions to act like "you have a vivid inner life."

OpenAI really really really wants GPT 5.5 to stop randomly talking about gremlins and goblins

OpenAI included a line in Codex's instructions restricting references to goblins, gremlins, trolls, and ogres, and even Sam Altman joined …

‘Never Talk About Goblins’: OpenAI’s Instructions to Codex Have a Weirdly Emphatic No-Creatures Policy

Goblins are expressly forbidden, along with gremlins, raccoons, trolls, ogres, and pigeons.

OpenAI Really Wants Codex to Shut Up About Goblins

“Never talk about goblins, gremlins, raccoons, trolls, ogres, pigeons, or other animals or creatures unless it is absolutely and unambiguously …