Recently, OpenAI launched a new service called GPT Builder, which lets you create customized chatbots specialized for specific tasks. Since its release, users have already published thousands of unique GPTs for work, learning, leisure, and more.
In this simple guide, we’ll demonstrate how to leverage OpenAI’s GPT Builder to build your own GPT from scratch.
Introduction to OpenAI GPT Builder
Accessible only through the ChatGPT web interface, GPT Builder provides an intuitive way to mold a mini-ChatGPT specialized for your needs. Teacher bots, writing coaches, entertainment recommenders—the use cases are vast, given ChatGPT’s underlying competence.
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These custom GPTs function like tailored mini-apps built on ChatGPT’s AI. You specify purpose, knowledge sources, tone, and more through a natural back-and-forth chat conversation.
Once created, custom GPTs can be shared with anyone using a link, but they’ll need an active ChatGPT Plus subscription.
In 2024, OpenAI also plans to launch an official GPT Store to highlight standout public bots. Popular entries could even earn creators passive income based on usage.
Prerequisites to Get Started
Before wielding the GPT Builder, make sure to have an active ChatGPT Plus subscription. This premium tier runs $20 (Ksh 3,099) per month and provides priority access during peak loads.
For now, GPT Builder is only accessible through ChatGPT’s web interface on desktop browsers like Chrome and Firefox. So pull out your laptop to follow along.
How to create custom GPTs with OpenAI’s GPT Builder
In this simple guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to leverage the tool to build your own GPT from scratch.
Get Started with GPT Builder
- Open any browser, navigate to ChatGPT’s web interface at chat.openai.com, and log into your OpenAI account. For now, the GPT Builder tool hasn’t made its way to the ChatGPT mobile app yet.
- In the left sidebar, click on “Explore” and then “Create a GPT” to access GPT Builder. This will take you through to the main building area, where you can bring your GPT to life. ChatGPT will also provide you with a selection of public GPTs you can peruse for inspiration.
- You’ll see two tabs: “Create” and “Configure.” Start with Create, which lets you customize your GPT via a conversational flow.
- Clearly state what you want your GPT to do. This can be anything from a GPT that will analyze essays to one that can teach you how to code.
- The chatbot will then ask you some clarifying follow-up questions and then generate a profile picture, which you can accept or replace with your own.
- Request your preferred tone and response length. Also specify desired honesty, creativity, confidence levels, and more.
- Once you’ve followed the above steps, you can test your GPT’s responses thoroughly in the right textbox before finalizing the build. If you find it lacking in any way, return to the GPT Builder and specify the behavior you’d like changed.
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Once you’re happy with your bot’s responses, click “Save” to lock it in. Alternatively, you can switch over to the Configure tab. Here, GPT Builder auto-generates custom instructions summarizing your desired purpose and knowledge. Review and tweak these as needed.
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You can also upload up to 10 reference documents, like PDFs, text files, and PowerPoints, to bolster your GPT’s capabilities. For specialized domains, include vocabulary lists, style guides, rule books, and more.
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Additionally, you can toggle on or off AI features like web access, DALL-E image generation and code interpretation in the Capabilities tab. Enable capabilities fitting your custom bot’s niche. With the right knowledge and tools, your GPT can handle even more focused use cases.
- When ready, click “Save” and select your sharing preference: Public, Unlisted, or Private.
And that’s it, you now have your own personalized GPT. And as mentioned earlier, you can share your custom GPT with anyone using the provide link, but they’ll need an active ChatGPT Plus subscription.
Other GPTs Available With ChatGPT Plus
Along with being able to build your own GPTs, ChatGPT Plus also lets you utilize GPTs made publicly available by other developers.
For example, there’s Laundry Buddy, which provides instructions for removing different types of stains from clothing. However, there is currently a vulnerability that could allow users to easily extract the training data used to build these public GPTs without the developers’ consent.
This raises important questions around security and ethics that OpenAI will need to thoroughly address before launching their GPT store and enabling developers to monetize their creations.
If you plan to publicly share your own GPT, be sure to program it not to disclose its training data. Also, consider deselecting the option in Advanced Settings that allows OpenAI to use conversations with your GPT to further train its models, if you are not comfortable with that data being leveraged.
