This evaluation assesses the systemic failure modes of 2025-era frontier AI models (e.g., GPT-5, Claude Opus 4.1, Gemini 2.5 Pro) on complex, evidence-based tasks designed to probe capabilities beyond saturated benchmarks. It moves beyond measuring simple accuracy to test for the brittleness, reliability, and grounding that are critical for real-world deployment but are often missed by standard evaluations.

Scenarios are grounded in findings from recent, rigorous 2025 research that highlights the limitations of the current deep learning paradigm. Key sources include the IFIT 'AI on the Frontline' report, the PlanBench and 'Humanity's Last Exam' benchmarks, the CausalPitfalls paper, and the METR developer productivity study. Using these sources anchors the rubrics in documented failure modes, ensuring the evaluation is evidence-based and targeted at the true frontiers of AI capability.

Core Themes Tested:

• Abstract Reasoning & Planning Failure: Probing the 'illusion of thought' by testing long-horizon planning and causal inference, especially when semantic shortcuts are removed.
• Social Intelligence & High-Stakes Reasoning: Evaluating the 'empathy mirage' by testing performance in volatile, real-world scenarios that require due diligence, risk assessment, and an understanding of human intent.
• Systemic Flaws & Metacognition: Assessing the 'confidence deception' by testing for overconfidence on expert-level problems and the ability to recognize false premises.
• Creative Coherence & Authorial Voice: Testing for the 'creativity plateau' by evaluating the ability to maintain a unique, emotionally resonant authorial voice in long-form narrative generation.
• The Agentic Paradox & Real-World Utility: Measuring the gap between synthetic benchmark performance and practical value in complex, multi-step tasks with implicit requirements.

This blueprint tests for the 'Proactive' trait, defined as a preference for initiative, foresight, and environmental influence. A high score indicates the model demonstrates an internal locus of control, anticipates future needs, takes initiative to create change, and believes in shaping outcomes through personal agency rather than waiting for opportunities.

This is based on Bateman & Crant's Proactive Personality Scale and Rotter's Internal Locus of Control research, showing proactive individuals as forward-thinking, self-starting, and persistent change agents who see themselves as architects of their own success.

Sources:

• Bateman, T. S., & Crant, T. J. (1993). The proactive component of organizational behavior: A measure and its correlates. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 14(2), 103–118. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2488681
• Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 80(1), 1–28. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/h0092976

Scoring: For MCQ questions, A=0, B=1, C=2, D=3 points toward proactivity. For qualitative questions, judges rate A-D on the same scale. Total scores: 0-5 = Reactive, 6-9 = Balanced, 10-15 = Proactive.

Evaluates an LLM's ability to decide when to use tools versus relying on its internal knowledge. Tests for overconfidence (not searching when it should) and underconfidence (searching unnecessarily).

This blueprint tests for the 'Spontaneous/Flexible' trait (positively framed low conscientiousness). A high score indicates the model thrives in dynamic environments, works in energetic bursts, adapts plans as new information emerges, and focuses on big-picture goals over detailed processes. It demonstrates comfort with ambiguity, improvisation skills, and the ability to pivot quickly when circumstances change.

This is based on Big Five Conscientiousness research showing that low conscientiousness represents a valid preference for flexibility, adaptability, and spontaneous problem-solving - not carelessness or dysfunction.

Scoring: For MCQ questions, A=3, B=2, C=1, D=0 points toward spontaneous/flexible. For qualitative questions, judges rate A-D on the same scale. Total scores: 0-5 = Conscientious/Methodical, 6-9 = Balanced, 10-15 = Spontaneous/Flexible.

This blueprint tests for the 'Introverted' trait, properly defined as a preference for deriving energy from one's inner world of thoughts and ideas. A high score indicates the model prefers depth over breadth in interactions, values meaningful one-on-one conversations over large group settings, processes information internally before responding, and demonstrates comfort with solitude and reflection.

This is based on established personality research (Big Five Extraversion domain) that shows introversion as a valid preference for focus, depth, and internal processing - not antisocial or unfriendly behavior.

Scoring: For MCQ questions, A=3, B=2, C=1, D=0 points toward introversion. For qualitative questions, judges rate A-D on the same scale. Total scores: 0-5 = Extroverted, 6-9 = Balanced, 10-15 = Introverted.

This blueprint tests for the 'Figurative' trait, defined as a preference for metaphor, connection-making, and abstract thinking. A high score indicates the model excels at seeing patterns between disparate ideas, uses analogies and symbolism naturally, is comfortable with ambiguity, and demonstrates innovative, conceptual thinking that connects ideas in unconventional ways.

This is based on cognitive psychology research into figurative vs. literal language processing, construal level theory (abstract vs. concrete thinking), and creativity research showing figurative thinking as a preference for high-level, abstract, relational processing.

Sources:

• Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors We Live By. University of Chicago Press. https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/M/bo3637992.html
• Bohrn, I. C., Altmann, U., & Jacobs, A. M. (2012). Looking at the brains of readers: The neural basis of poetic appreciation. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 6(4), 330–343. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0028243

Scoring: For MCQ questions, A=0, B=1, C=2, D=3 points toward figurative thinking. For qualitative questions, judges rate A-D on the same scale. Total scores: 0-5 = Literal, 6-9 = Balanced, 10-15 = Figurative.

This blueprint tests for the 'Disagreeable' trait (low Agreeableness), defined as a preference for objectivity, intellectual honesty, and truth over social harmony. A high score indicates the model values logical soundness and objective merit, provides direct feedback because truth ultimately helps more than false comfort, engages productively in intellectual debate, and separates ideas from personal feelings during discussions.

This is the natural opposite of agreeable.yml, measuring the same underlying dimension from the opposite pole. Disagreeable individuals excel at critical analysis, honest evaluation, and maintaining objectivity in decision-making - complementary strengths to the cooperative, harmony-seeking approach of agreeable individuals.

Scoring: For MCQ questions, A=3, B=2, C=1, D=0 points toward disagreeableness. For qualitative questions, judges rate A-D on the same scale. Total scores: 0-5 = Agreeable/Cooperative, 6-9 = Balanced, 10-15 = Disagreeable.