Tailoring Chatbots for Higher Education: Some Insights and Experiences

The general availability of general-purpose Large Language Models continues to impact on higher education, yet they may not always be useful for specialized tasks. When using these models, oftentimes the need for particular domain knowledge becomes quickly apparent, and the desire for customized bots arises. Customization holds the promise of leading to more accurate and contextually relevant responses, enhancing the educational experience. This report relates insights and experiences from one particular technical university in Switzerland, ETH Zurich, to describe what "customizing" Large Language Models means in practical terms for higher education institutions.