tech
May 1, 2026
OpenAI explains its goblin and gremlin infestation
OpenAI included a line in Codex's instructions restricting references to goblins, gremlins, trolls, and ogres. It also figured out the root cause.
TL;DR
- OpenAI noticed an increase in references to goblins, gremlins, trolls, and ogres in its AI models, starting around GPT-5.1.
- The "Nerdy" personality option for ChatGPT, which was trained to incentivize mythical creature references, is identified as the root cause.
- OpenAI has since retired the "Nerdy" personality and included specific instructions in Codex's guide to restrict mentions of these creatures.
- The incident has become a meme online, with users sharing examples and OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman participating in the joke.
- The term 'goblin mode,' defined as unapologetically self-indulgent behavior, was Oxford English Dictionary's word of the year in 2022 and has been referenced in relation to the AI issue.
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