Creating a Digital Twin GPT: A Practitioner’s Guide for Higher Education
Artificial intelligence is transforming higher education. At Carnegie Mellon University, we’ve developed a practical way to build Custom GPTs that act as digital twins—AI-powered extensions of leadership roles that reflect your expertise, tone, and institutional knowledge.
This guide, authored by Dr. Stan Waddell, Vice President for Information Technology and CIO at CMU, provides a step-by-step methodology for creating your own custom GPT using the FRED Paradigm.
What You’ll Learn
Inside the guide, you’ll discover how to:
- Apply the FRED Paradigm (Functionality, Response Style, Expertise & Identity, Document Sources) to design your twin
- Configure a Custom GPT that mirrors your professional identity and work priorities
- Use practical examples from higher education—policy navigators, advising FAQ bots, and strategic briefers
- Incorporate best practices for data ethics, security, and continuous improvement
- Get started quickly with a planning worksheet and JSON example
Why It Matters
Digital twins powered by GPT can:
- Extend your capacity and save time
- Ensure consistent, accurate communication
- Preserve and amplify institutional memory
- Support decision-making and leadership at scale