Creating Endless Ways to View My Knowledge Library With AI

Uniting my passion for road engineering, environmental science and a drive for tech innovation, I'm forging new paths in knowledge creation by harnessing the power of OpenAI's custom GPTs and the agility of low-code website design. You too can develop a custom chatbot that uses your unique library of knowledge to create endless ways to communicate about its content.?

My journey with Low Volume Roads began early in my career as a researcher with the U.S. Forest Service and then as an Engineering Geologist for California State Parks, where I first encountered and documented the complexities and nuances of road engineering in sensitive environments. This experience was further enriched during my tenure as a permit and compliance officer at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, deepening my understanding of the delicate balance between development and environmental conservation. My career path then took a turn into IT project management, but my passion for road engineering and environmental stewardship remained constant. Being an early adopter of technology has always been a hallmark of my ethos. So, when OpenAI introduced custom knowledge-based GPTs, it immediately sparked my interest. I saw an opportunity to join my extensive database in road engineering with the latest advancements in AI technology. It was the beginning of an innovative journey to transform how we disseminate knowledge.

I had the opportunity to leverage OpenAI's technology to create a custom GPT for Via Road Solutions. A GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is an advanced artificial intelligence model developed by OpenAI, designed to generate human-like text by predicting the likelihood of a sequence of words, enabling it to perform a variety of language-based tasks. Via Road Solutions is a non-profit endeavor that was started to help communities improve transportation in remote regions around the world.?

Building a Road Engineering Knowledge Based Chatbot

Here's a retrospective look at how I created a custom road engineering knowledge based chatbot using artificial intelligence:

1. Exploring OpenAI's Platform: Initially, I reviewed OpenAI's website to understand the process of creating custom GPTs, and searched YouTube for any information I could find. It involved several key steps, starting from defining the specific purpose of the GPT to customizing it with unique datasets.??

2. Custom GPT Creation: I created a custom GPT called Road Vision tailored for road engineering. This involved selecting and integrating specific knowledge, including academic research and industry reports, into the AI model. During my research and subsequent Masters Thesis, I collected hundreds of documents on the topic of Low Volume Road Engineering.

3. Training the Model: The model was trained on a vast array of road engineering information. The interface allowed me to upload my Rural Roads Thesis and the best of the knowledge files, enabling the GPT to search the documents and effectively "learn" from all the data in an indelible way.

4. Importance of the Knowledge Files: The knowledge files, and the researchers who had gathered and documented this data, were pivotal. These documents contained years of research and expertise in road engineering, forming the backbone of the GPT's knowledge. This is a highly reliable peer reviewed data set that I verified during many years of project implementation.

5. AI Generating Content: Once trained, the AI was able to generate articles, research summaries, and educational content. The AI's ability to process and synthesize complex information led to high-quality, informative outputs. From fundamental road concepts to intricate topics and detailed formulas, Road Vision consistently generated a wealth of original, informative, accurate and correct articles and responses covering a broad spectrum of road engineering knowledge. As an expert on the topic, I was able to read all the text and verify the accuracy.

6. Publishing on ViaRoadSol: The content generated was then copied, edited, formatted, and published on the Via Road Solutions website, providing an easily accessible resource for professionals and students in the field. We used WordPress because it offers a user-friendly interface, a wide range of customizable themes, and a vast repository of plugins, making it a versatile and scalable platform suitable for various website types, from blogs to e-commerce. Additionally, its strong community support and search-friendly structure make it a popular choice for both beginners and experienced web developers.

This endeavor taught me that a significant advancement in knowledge dissemination could occur with AI, transforming complex, specialized information into accessible and practical resources. The project demonstrated how AI could be creatively used to explore endless ways of writing about and understanding road engineering, erosion control, and environmental analysis. This advancement in utilizing AI for knowledge dissemination is crucial as it enhances the quality and efficiency of future projects of any kind, ultimately benefiting communities and optimizing the use of project resources through informed and innovative approaches.

Steps to Create Your Own

OpenAI has a feature allowing users to create custom versions of ChatGPT, known as "GPTs". These customized GPTs can be tailored for specific tasks or areas of interest, enhancing their usefulness in everyday life, work, or leisure activities.?

To create your own custom GPT like Road Vision, follow these steps:

1. Identify Your Customization Need: Determine the specific area or task you want your GPT to focus on, such as road engineering or environmental science or any other topic.?

2. Gather Your Data Source: Compile a comprehensive set of data in your chosen field. This can include academic papers, industry reports, or any relevant information. Ideally, create your own knowledge files or use documents that are "open source" to avoid copyright issues.?

3. Access OpenAI's Platform: Visit OpenAI's website, create an account, and navigate to the custom GPT page. A paid account is best because it gives access to the newest Large Language Models.

4. Upload Your Data: Use the provided interface to upload your data source. This will allow the GPT to learn from your specific dataset. You can also instruct the GPT to search the files and rely on them for every prompt response. It is also possible to use the GPT to create a custom document analyzing each element of your data and upload that as a new knowledge file for future iterations.

5. Customize and Train: Follow the platform's guidelines to customize and instruct your GPT what to do with your data. This may involve inputting preferences specific to your needs.

6. Test and Refine: Once your GPT is set up, test its performance and refine its learning and responses based on the output.

7. Implement and Share: Use your custom GPT for your intended purpose and share it with others if applicable, especially if it serves a broader community interest.

My project with Via Road Solutions began as a curious exploration, combining my background in road engineering and IT with OpenAI's GPT technology. It was a personal project, driven by my passion for technology and environmental stewardship. The process of integrating my collection of road engineering knowledge into an AI framework turned out to be both challenging and rewarding. I hope this evolves into a valuable resource, showcasing the power of AI in enhancing our understanding of complex subjects like road engineering.