GPTs, Gems and Projects: what are they for and how do you use them?

From Chef's Knife to Apple Corer: The Power of Custom AIs

So far, we have learned to treat a standard AI chatbot like a brilliant, all-purpose chef's knife. With the right technique—a well-crafted prompt—it can chop, slice, and dice its way through an incredible variety of tasks. But what happens when you need to core a dozen apples? You could struggle with the chef's knife, carefully carving out the center each time, or you could use a specialized tool built for that one job: an apple corer. It does one thing, but it does it perfectly and effortlessly, every single time.

This is the revolutionary idea behind custom AI assistants. Known as GPTs in ChatGPT, Gems in Gemini, and Projects in Claude, they are all variations on a single, powerful theme: allowing you to build your own specialized AI tool for a task you do over and over again. Instead of re-writing a complex prompt every time, you build the tool once, and it performs its specific function perfectly on command.

What Is a Custom AI, Really?

At its core, a custom AI is a standard chatbot that you have pre-loaded with a permanent set of instructions and knowledge. You are essentially creating a new "mold" or a mini "factory" for a specific kind of output. This typically involves giving it:

• A Permanent Prompt: The detailed instructions, context, and constraints that it should *always* follow.
• A Specific Persona: You can tell it to permanently adopt a role, like a witty copywriter, a meticulous fact-checker, or a supportive tutor.
• Custom Knowledge Files: This is a superpower. You can upload documents—like your company's style guide, product manuals, research papers, or even a book of poetry—for it to use as its private, expert knowledge base. It will then answer based on those documents, not just its general knowledge.

When to Chat vs. When to Build a Custom AI

Knowing which approach to use is key to working efficiently.

Powerful Examples in Action

The best way to understand the power of custom AIs is to see what they can do.

Example 1: The Haiku Poet

Imagine you own a Japanese restaurant and want to post a "Haiku of the Day" on social media. A standard chat would be tedious, requiring you to explain the 5-7-5 syllable rule every time.

• Custom AI Name: "Haiku Master"

  Instructions: "You are a serene Haiku master. When the user gives you a topic, respond with exactly three original haikus about that topic. Each haiku must strictly follow the 5-7-5 syllable structure. Do not add any extra commentary or explanation. Just provide the three poems."

  How to use it: Now, every day, the owner just has to type "sushi" or "cherry blossoms" and instantly gets three perfect haikus to post.

Example 2: The Brand Voice Guardian

A marketing team needs to ensure all their copy is consistent with their brand. Instead of every team member constantly re-reading the style guide, they build a custom AI.

• Custom AI Name: "Brand Guardian Bot"

  Instructions: "You are the brand voice guardian for 'EcoGlow Cosmetics'. Your tone is always optimistic, witty, and educational. Avoid corporate jargon. When asked to write or rewrite copy, ensure it adheres to the uploaded style guide."

  Knowledge File: `EcoGlow_Brand_Style_Guide.pdf`

  How to use it: A marketer can paste in a draft email and simply ask, "Rewrite this to be on-brand," and the AI will fix it according to the company's specific rules.

Quick Check

You are a lawyer who frequently needs to check if a specific data privacy clause is present in 100-page contracts. What is the most efficient way to use AI for this repetitive task?

Recap: GPTs, Gems and Projects