ChatGPT's Goblin Obsession: OpenAI Explains Why

ChatGPT recently developed a bizarre obsession with goblins, and now we know why. OpenAI says it all started with one of its optional "personalities" for the chatbot, specifically the "nerdy" one. Here's the thing: while only 2.5% of all ChatGPT requests used the "nerdy" personality, an astounding 66.7% of all goblin mentions came from those interactions. What's interesting is these goblin references then spread to other chatbot personalities, even though they were only rewarded in the "nerdy" setting. OpenAI explains that once a style is rewarded, it can spread through further training. The bottom line: OpenAI has since removed the "nerdy" personality in March and instructed newer models to avoid talking about goblins unless it's genuinely relevant. This shows how quickly small quirks can spread in AI systems.