Personalizing LLMs: ChatGPT and Custom GPTs for Individual Users

AI, CONVERSATIONAL AI

In an era of rapid advancements in natural language model technologies, large language models (LLMs) have become powerful tools for personal productivity and creativity. At CBOT, although we develop various enterprise solutions, this article focuses on how ChatGPT can be personalized by individual users. ChatGPT’s capabilities such as memory, personality, and custom instructions allow it to remember user preferences and respond accordingly. For example, it can recall your favorite recipes, reading lists, or important dates, and incorporate this information in future conversations.

1. ChatGPT and Personalization Options

1.1 Memory and Custom Instructions for Personalized Responses

ChatGPT can deliver more personalized responses by remembering specific information. OpenAI states that memory has been expanded to include “saved memories” and insights from past conversations. Individual users can use this memory to remind the model of their favorite movie lists, guitar chords they want to learn, or cities included in a vacation plan. You can manage or completely disable memory settings at any time.

Beyond memory, there’s also the Custom Instructions feature. Through this, you can tell ChatGPT how to respond—by explaining your preferred tone or style. For instance, you might want the responses to be warmer, funnier, or always include a brief summary.

Example: While preparing a reading plan, you can ask ChatGPT to include short descriptions and reading time under each title—and receive responses in this same format in future requests automatically.

1.2 Personality Selection

As of 2025, ChatGPT allows Plus and Pro subscribers to choose the model’s personality. A personality consists of the “voice,” “behavior,” and “attitude” that shape the tone and style of responses. According to OpenAI’s help center, choosing a personality does not change what the model can do—only how it communicates.

Here are the available personalities in ChatGPT and their ideal use cases:

Personality Traits Suitable For
Default Clean and neutral, adaptable General use, unbiased responses
Cynic Witty, dry humor; direct and practical Fun and honest replies, brainstorming
Robot Emotionless, direct and efficient Technical tasks, code samples, brief instructions
Listener Warm and calm; reflects your thoughts and asks questions Decision-making, planning, introspection
Nerd Playful and curious; deep explanations and suggestions Learning new topics, creative problem solving

To choose a personality, go to Profile → Personalization, activate Enable customization, and select from the list of personalities.

1.3 Scheduled Tasks and Other New Features

ChatGPT Plus and Pro users can now create scheduled tasks for future activities. Introduced in early 2025, the Scheduled Tasks feature allows planning for one-time reminders or recurring actions. For personal use, this can help maintain daily habits like workout reminders, meditation sessions, or reading goals. Thanks to the Projects feature, users can upload multiple files (e.g., personal budget sheets or travel plans), analyze them, and share memory and custom instructions across conversations.

2. What Can You Do with ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is more than just a chat tool—it’s a versatile productivity platform for personal projects and daily tasks. Here are some of its uses for individual users:

  • Text Creation and Editing: You can get help with journaling, writing blog posts, updating your resume, or preparing social media content. Through personality selection and custom instructions, you can tailor the tone to be humorous, formal, or supportive.

  • Coding and Code Review: ChatGPT can generate code snippets, debug, and explain your code for hobby projects or personal websites. Plus users can also process and visualize their own data using the Code Interpreter/Data Analysis feature.

  • Data Analysis and Reporting: You can analyze your budget spreadsheets, workout routines, or book reading lists—and receive visual summaries and reports.

  • Visual and Voice Responses: With DALL·E integration, you can create illustrations, invitation visuals, or wallpapers for personal projects; and enjoy voice conversations via the advanced voice mode.

  • Web Browsing and Cited Responses: Using the Browse feature, you can research destinations while planning a trip, get unbiased comparisons of clothes or gadgets, and access current news summaries.

  • Personalization with Memory: You can store information such as your favorite sports team, dietary preferences, or long-term goals—so the model remembers and incorporates them in future chats.

3. Custom GPTs

With the introduction of GPTs in 2023, OpenAI enabled users to create customized versions of ChatGPT tailored to specific needs. This article focuses on how individual users can utilize GPTs. Key points include:

What is a GPT?

According to OpenAI, GPTs are customized versions of ChatGPT built by combining additional instructions, extra knowledge (files), and various capabilities for a specific purpose. For example, you can create a GPT that teaches board game rules or helps with math homework.

How to Create a GPT?

As outlined in the help center, users can access the GPT Builder interface at chatgpt.com/create. Under the Configure and Create tabs, you can define a name, description, icon, instructions, starter questions, and upload files in the Knowledge section. You can also enable features like web browsing, image generation, or code interpreter; and define Custom Actions to connect with third-party APIs. You may publish your GPT or keep it private for internal use.

GPT Store and Sharing

OpenAI has announced a GPT Store for Plus and Enterprise users where they can publish their GPTs and earn revenue. Enterprise clients can distribute GPTs internally by department and manage access rights through an admin panel.

Memory and GPTs

The memory feature is also available in GPTs; however, each GPT has its own separate memory. For a GPT to recall previously provided information, memory must be enabled for that specific GPT.

What Can You Do with GPTs?

GPTs let you create mini assistants tailored to your personal interests—without any coding:

  • Education and Hobby Assistants: You can build a GPT that teaches guitar chords, helps with language learning, or explains yoga poses.

  • Cooking and Lifestyle Helpers: A GPT fed with your personal recipe collection can suggest meals for different days and offer nutrition tips aligned with your health goals.

  • Travel and Planning Assistants: You can design a vacation planner that compiles itineraries, museum visits, and hotel recommendations.

  • Creative Writing or Game Companions: GPTs can offer ideas while writing stories, remind you of board game rules, or provide puzzle-solving hints.

Other types of GPTs that make life easier and more fun:

  • Personal Fitness and Health Coach: A GPT containing your workout plan and goals can offer daily exercise suggestions and general wellness tips (note: not a substitute for medical advice).

  • Exam Prep and Study Partner: Students can create a GPT with their notes and study schedules that generates question sets and highlights areas to focus on.

  • Budgeting and Shopping Assistant: You can design a GPT that analyzes your income-expense data and presents charts and summaries, while also organizing shopping lists.

  • Gift and Recommendation Engine: If you teach it about your family’s and friends’ interests, it can suggest personalized gifts for upcoming occasions.

  • Language Practice Partner: You can create a GPT to talk with you in a foreign language you’re learning and correct your mistakes.

  • Music or Movie Recommender: A GPT that knows your listening or viewing history can recommend new albums, songs, movies, and series you might enjoy.

  • Child Education and Play Guide: You can build GPTs that tell kid-friendly stories or suggest educational games and activities.

  • Pet Care Assistant: A GPT that reminds you of your pet’s feeding and vaccination schedule—and offers exercise or playtime suggestions.

  • Personal Assistant: A GPT that organizes your to-do lists and lifts your mood with motivational quotes and brief meditations.

Personalizing and optimizing LLMs offers powerful tools for simplifying daily tasks and encouraging creativity for individual users. Features like memory, personality, and custom instructions help bring order to your daily life and allow the model to understand you better. Custom GPTs let you create personal assistants tailored to guitar practice, travel planning, cooking, and more.

While more advanced solutions and fine-tuning methods exist for enterprise-level security requirements, the built-in personalization features of ChatGPT are sufficient for most individual users. To enhance your experience, you can experiment with personality and custom instruction settings, introduce your interests through memory, and create your own mini GPTs to boost your productivity in daily life.