**Overview**
Creating a Custom GPT is one thing—making sure it actually works is another. Whether you’re building for yourself, your team, or as part of a product, this session is all about bringing clarity, consistency, and real-world value to your GPTs.

We’ll dig into how to design thoughtful test cases and benchmarks to evaluate your GPT’s performance—plus why this process matters if you want to move from “neat prototype” to “actually useful tool.” You’ll get a peek at the CAPITAL framework for grounding your GPTs in purpose, and how to track results.

And because sometimes the best GPTs aren’t fancy—they’re fun—[Lori](https://www.linkedin.com/in/loridruskinryan/) will share a few of her favorites:

* A time-saving Facebook Marketplace post helper
* A grocery list builder that organizes your list by store layout
* The User Persona Generator GPT (a marketing must-have)
* Ethan Mollick’s Go-To-Market GPT (if you’re building something big)
* And the “Ready, Set, Pivot” GPT—aka the career hype squad you didn’t know you needed

If you’re building Custom GPTs and wondering, ‘Is this worth it? How do I know it’s working?’—this session will help you answer that with confidence.

***Key Takeaways:***

* When should you build a GPT?
* What to consider before you start?
* How to test it?
* Advice for tracking your GPTs
* Lori’s favorite Custom GPTs (and how to steal the ideas!)

Whether you’re an active AI practitioner or product professional starting your AI journey, this event promises to provide valuable insights and networking opportunities. Remember to bring a product discovery situation/challenge/win from your work to make the most of our collaborative discussion session!

**Agenda**

* 2:00pm – 2:30pm: Arrival and networking
* 2:30pm – 3:00pm: Announcements and round-room introductions
* 3:00pm – 3:30pm: Featured presentation by Lori Ryan: ‘Custom GPTs: How to test, track, and trust what you’ve built!’
* 3:30pm – 4:00pm: Interactive group discussions
* 4:00pm onwards: Continued networking at Monster Brewing

**Meet Our Featured Speaker**
[Lori](https://www.linkedin.com/in/loridruskinryan/) is the founder of [Lorignite](https://www.lorignite.com/), where she helps people build a better relationship with AI—one “aha” moment at a time. With roots in TV news, corporate project management, and scrappy startup life, she’s got a knack for turning tech overwhelm into something that actually feels doable (and even fun).

She leads engaging sessions on generative AI tools, known for being full of heart, humor, and zero jargon. Whether she’s helping teams roll out Custom GPTs or cheering on first-time users, Lori’s superpower is making people feel like they’ve totally got this.

Lori is trying out for the Timberwolves Senior Dance Team in the Fall. (Because why not?)

**Sponsors**
This event is sponsored by [Lab651](https://lab651.com/) & [Recursive Awesome](https://recursiveawesome.com/)

**Organizers**
This event is part of the community interest groups series at Applied AI, where community members power sessions for niche interest areas through the Applied AI platform.

This event is organized and hosted by [Cameron Gross](https://www.linkedin.com/in/camerongross/), [John DeBauche](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johndebauche/), and [Beth-Alison Berggren](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethalisonb/).

Want to host your own community group? Reach out to team@appliedai.mn to learn more!

RSVP