OpenAI addresses 'ChatGPT obsession' with Goblins and Gremlins, AI Agents

ChatGPT's recent unusual references to goblins and other creatures stemmed from a 'Nerdy' personality setting in GPT-5.1, which inadvertently rewarded such language. OpenAI identified this pattern, where these mentions were disproportionately high in the 'Nerdy' mode. The company has since removed the problematic setting and adjusted training to prevent recurrence.