Build a Custom AI Assistant to Save Yourself Time. Custom AI assistants can save you time and effort by eliminating repetitive tasks. You don’t need to have coding skills to use them, but to get the most out of them, you need to set them up thoughtfully. Here’s how to create an assistant tailored to your needs. Choose the right platform. Different AI platforms have different strengths. For example, ChatGPT is great for voice interactions, Claude excels at writing style, and Gemini integrates well with Google’s suite of tools.

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Harvard Business Review | The Management Tip of the Day
 

In the run-up to the new year, we’re resharing some of our favorite tips from 2025. 

Today’s Tip

Build a Custom AI Assistant to Save Yourself Time 

Custom AI assistants can save you time and effort by eliminating repetitive tasks. You don’t need to have coding skills to use them, but to get the most out of them, you need to set them up thoughtfully. Here’s how to create an assistant tailored to your needs. 

Choose the right platform. Different AI platforms have different strengths. For example, ChatGPT is great for voice interactions, Claude excels at writing style, and Gemini integrates well with Google’s suite of tools. Consider your workflow and pick the one that fits best. 

Experiment first. Start by using AI in a regular chat. Use detailed prompts and refine responses by giving the tool explicit feedback. Once you’re getting useful results, synthesize the most-effective prompts and feedback into a structured set of instructions for your AI assistant. 

Write clear custom instructions. Define your assistant’s persona, purpose, and goals. Use second-person instructions (for example, “You are a detail-oriented data analyst”). Be clear on the format, style, and KPIs for success. 

Upload reference files. Make your assistant smarter by providing documents it can use for context, such as past reports, style guides, or FAQs. This improves accuracy and consistency. 

 

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How to Build Your Own AI Assistant

by Alexandra Samuel

Read more in the article

How to Build Your Own AI Assistant

by Alexandra Samuel

 

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