As AI reshapes industries around the globe, LSU is tapping into its potential with MikeGPT, a custom-built AI assistant designed to quickly provide information about LSU resources and operations.
Developed under the leadership of Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Roy Haggerty, MikeGPT streamlines access to information by drawing from over 35,000 documents across LSU’s website.
Inspired by ChatGPT, Haggerty said, “I thought it would be a wonderful thing if we could create something similar that was specific for LSU that would allow us to answer questions that someone in their daily life of working or studying at LSU would want to know.”
Following the release of ChatGPT in 2022, Haggerty envisioned MikeGPT as a way to improve efficiency and address resource limitations at the University.
“At LSU, we are resource-constrained,” he said. “Something that I’ve always looked for as provost is a way, or ways, to enhance productivity of faculty and staff without adding hours to their day.”
MikeGPT’s development began with a collaboration between Haggerty, Assistant Professor James Ghawaly and a team of student developers from an AI-focused course co-taught by Haggerty. Over the summer and fall of 2024, the team built the tool using OpenAI’s language model integrated with Microsoft Azure’s secure cloud service.
The AI is designed to handle a variety of questions based on information available on LSU’s official website, however, it excludes topics like athletics and the LSU Foundation. Its standout feature is its ability to provide source links for every response, ensuring users can verify information independently.
“It can handle pretty much any question about LSU … if the information is available on an LSU website,” Haggerty said. “We hope to expand MikeGPT out to be able to do some specialized tasks, like being able to query Moodle pages for course notes, syllabi, or other materials.”
During a live demonstration, Haggerty showcased MikeGPT’s capabilities. From helping faculty locate specific policies to guiding students on academic procedures, the tool can offer precise and reliable assistance in less than 10 seconds.
MikeGPT can answer questions like: “How do I appeal a grade?” “Where is the student health center?” or “What are the steps to change my major?”
One of its key features is its refusal to guess answers it isn’t confident about, a deliberate design choice to avoid spreading misinformation.
Although currently accessible only to faculty and staff, MikeGPT will expand to students sometime this spring, with plans to integrate it into Moodle and Workday Student, simplifying processes like class registration and grade management.
The development of MikeGPT places LSU among a select group of universities pioneering the use of AI to enhance campus operations and services.
“I’m only aware of less than five universities in the United States that have developed something like this,” Haggerty said. “I expect within a few years, every university will have something like this.”
Development of MikeGPT is ongoing, with plans for speed enhancements and expanded capabilities.
