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From Zero to AI Hero: How to Build a Custom GPT

From Zero to AI Hero: How to Build a Custom GPT
by
Mallory Willsea
on
September 24, 2024
AI

About the Blog

Empowering yourself and your team with the tools to build bespoke AI solutions is an invaluable skill.

This lightning talk, presented at the 2024 HighEdWeb Annual Conference, demystifies the process of creating a custom GPT model using ChatGPT. In just 10 minutes, we’ll not only discuss but also demonstrate live how you can construct an AI model that understands and addresses the unique challenges and opportunities within your institution.

From enhancing student engagement to streamlining content creation, witness firsthand the simplicity and power of customizing your own AI, making this cutting-edge technology accessible to all, regardless of technical background.

Open the slide deck.

Research Content Transformer GPT

Add the custom GPT to your ChatGPT now

Note: This requires a ChatGPT Plus subscription.

The Most Critical Step - Prepare Your Content and Data

Preparing your content and data that is the cornerstone of building a custom GPT that truly aligns with your institution's needs. This is where you’re going to spend the most time. Quality input means quality output.

Review the instructions used to create this custom GPT.

Assign a clear role

Defining the GPT's role ensures it understands its purpose and who it's serving, so it can deliver responses that align with your goals and user expectations. Without this clarity, the outputs might miss the mark.

Define the specific task
Setting a clear primary task and goal focuses the GPT on what it should prioritize, ensuring it delivers useful, task-oriented responses rather than generalized information that may not be actionable.

Set clear expectations for the output
Outlining tone, structure, and formatting needs guarantees consistency and quality in the responses. This helps align the GPT’s output with your brand's voice, avoids missteps, and ensures the final product is usable without much editing.

Provide contextual information and examples
Supplying brand guides, content examples, and approved data ensures the GPT can draw from the right knowledge base. This also ensures it follows compliance rules, protecting sensitive data and maintaining brand integrity.

Test and refine
Running sample queries helps you identify any gaps in understanding or performance, allowing you to fine-tune the model for better accuracy and relevance before wider use.

Use Cases for Higher Ed Marketing and Digital Teams

With endless possibilities, sometimes you just need a few ideas to spark your creativity. Here are 14 ways you might use a custom GPT as a higher education marketing, communications, or digital pro.

Watch The Lightning Talk Below

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