Philosophy, technology, and the future of work

18 Jan 2025 1 min read

education

OpenAI's Custom GPTs in Education: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects

"Professors are going to create custom GPTs for the public and let people engage with content in a lifelong manner," said Siya Raj Purohit from OpenAI.

OpenAI's Custom GPTs in Education: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects

OpenAI is exploring the use of generative AI chatbots in education by developing custom GPT models to enhance online learning. Despite initial trust issues due to chatbot hallucinations, OpenAI is now committed to entering the education market. At a Coeus Collective event, Siya Raj Purohit from OpenAI discussed prospects for personalized GPTs that professors could use to engage students in lifelong learning. Professors have already started experimenting by uploading extensive course content to create these custom GPTs, which students can access to assist with their studies. This initiative is part of a broader strategy, including the introduction of "ChatGPT Edu" for universities, aimed at expanding AI's role in education. Although AI in education is projected to grow significantly, challenges remain, exemplified by issues with the Khan Academy's Khanmingo chatbot, which struggled with basic tasks. Initially, ChatGPT was controversial for making assignments too easy for students, but OpenAI sees potential in integrating its chatbot technology into the classroom to benefit both teachers and students in their educational endeavors.

ai-in-education chatbots-in-education generative-ai openai personalized-learning-2

About Paul Welty

Dr. Paul J. Welty is Vice Provost for Academic Innovation at Emory University and Interim Executive Director of Emory Continuing Education. He leads large-scale initiatives integrating AI and emerging technologies to enhance learning, faculty development, and institutional strategy.

His leadership has driven groundbreaking projects including Emory's first faculty information and action system, AI-driven workforce development programs, and establishment of the Emory Center for AI Learning. Under his direction, Emory Continuing Education has launched workforce development initiatives, increased organizational productivity, and expanded access to technology-driven education.

A recognized thought leader on AI's implications for education and work, Dr. Welty regularly contributes to public discourse through research and invited presentations. Recent speaking engagements include Simuvaction 2025 (Quebec City) and the ACEN Learning Symposium keynote on "AI at Work."

Dr. Welty holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Emory University with focus in ethics and phenomenology. His career spans technology consulting, academic leadership, and entrepreneurship, consistently driving initiatives that define AI's role in organizational and educational transformation.

This blog examines the intersection of philosophy, technology, and the future of work through analysis that combines conceptual rigor with practical implementation experience.