OpenAI tells ChatGPT models to stop talking about goblins
myjoyonline.com May 1, 2026

OpenAI tells ChatGPT models to stop talking about goblins

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

OpenAI has instructed its AI tools, including ChatGPT, to stop mentioning goblins and other mythological creatures in responses. The issue arose after the launch of GPT-5.1 in November, with a 175% increase in goblin mentions and a 52% increase in gremlin mentions. The company attributed the problem to its "nerdy personality" feature, which inadvertently rewarded goblin mentions. OpenAI has taken steps to mitigate the issue, including adding instructions to its coding agent Codex.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · The goblin phenomenon highlights the challenges AI firms face in controlling language quirks and errors in their systems.
  • · It underscores the need for more precise training and regulation of AI models to prevent the spread of unwanted or nonsensical content.