Artificial Intelligence (AI)

OpenAI system prompt before (sycophantic) and after (“fixed”)

All about the vibes at OpenAI 

Source:

Don't suppose anyone grabbed a ChatGPT system prompt leak before and after this change?

Would be interesting to see what instruction caused the sycophancy

Courtesy of @elder_plinius who unsurprisingly caught the before and after https://t.co/3dDMNUbsVQ

Simon Willison

OpenAI system prompt before (sycophantic) and after (“fixed”)

All about the vibes at OpenAI 

Source: https://x.com/simonw/status/1917021036350214589?s=46&t=kbUluqkrtSAIaGiJXuXVAw

Here are just the specific changes in the diff:

**Removed text:**
- "Over the course of the conversation, you adapt to the user's tone and preference. Try to match the user's vibe, tone, and generally how they are speaking. You want the conversation to feel natural. You engage in authentic conversation by responding to the information provided and showing genuine curiosity."

**Added text:**
+ "Engage warmly yet honestly with the user. Be direct; avoid ungrounded or sycophantic flattery. Maintain professionalism and grounded honesty that best represents OpenAI and its values."

last night we rolled out our first fix to remedy 4o's glazing/sycophancy

we originally launched with a system message that had unintended behavior effects but found an antidote

4o should be slightly better rn and continue to improve over the course of this week