Faculty and staff now have access to PittGPT, powered by CAI, the secure, custom-built platform designed specifically for the University community. One of the biggest advantages to PittGPT is that your conversations and uploaded documents are safe and secure, so you can fearlessly integrate GenAI into your official Pitt business.
There are so many ways PittGPT can streamline your workday. Here are a few of my favorites that you might not know about.
1. Try a Template for Commonly Used Chats, Or Make Your Own
Sometimes the most difficult part of using GenAI is crafting an effective prompt. That’s why PittGPT has templates ready to help you break the ice with a new chat. Whether you’re looking to debug some code or get a clear explanation of a technical concept, PittGPT has a template for that. If there are tasks you do regularly that can benefit from some AI support, save your starter prompt as a template. You can even share them with your team!
2. Data Collections Help You to Work Smarter, Not Harder
Have you ever started chatting with Google Gemini and wished it knew a little more specifics of what you were working on? Data collections in PittGPT let you input your regularly used data — Word documents, PDFs, spreadsheets — so that you and the AI are on the same page. The best part is that the data collections are tied to your account, not your individual chats, so you can ask PittGPT to pull from them even if you start a completely new chat weeks later. Now, that’s smart.
3. Use the Persona That Fits Your Style
PittGPT comes preset with an array of “personas” that can change how the model responds to your prompts, accessible through the Modify Settings button under the chat box. Some are practical, like the JSON formatter assistant, while others are fun, like its Yoda persona. Its general persona is classic GenAI — friendly, approachable, and eager to help you find the information you need. If you’re looking for something more specific, you can always create your own custom instructions.
4. Make the Most of Your Messages
GenAI tools are designed to act like a real conversational partner, but that doesn’t mean you should approach chats without a plan. Effective prompt writing is key to making the most of tools like PittGPT. The CREATE framework, which stands for character, request, examples, adjustments, type of output, and extras, helps you to provide clear instructions that maximize PittGPT’s output. And remember — it’s rare to get the perfect response after your first chat. Tweak sent prompts directly using the Edit Message button or offer more specific instructions in your response.
5. Start with Your Daily Workload
We all have tasks that take up too much of our time. Maybe you struggle with composing emails, or you think best in bullet points lists, or you need to analyze tons of data. Whatever your workload is, PittGPT can help you to streamline your repetitive, time-consuming tasks. The best way to get started is by thinking of ways you could make your workday a little more efficient and a little less stressful. If you’re feeling stuck, try sending PittGPT your most common tasks to brainstorm ways GenAI can help you tackle your to-do list.
Whether you're a seasoned researcher needing to summarize a complex dataset or a new faculty member looking for help with administrative tasks, PittGPT is built to support your unique needs. By starting small and incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you'll be well on your way to becoming a PittGPT pro.
— Rachel Bachy, Pitt Digital
In the spirit of applying the tools we provide, PittGPT offered suggestions for the introduction and conclusion paragraphs.
