FH Dortmund Develops AI Assistant for Students – A Secure Alternative to ChatGPT

Dortmund, Germany – Students at Fachhochschule Dortmund (FH Dortmund) now have access to a cutting-edge AI assistant, Info-GPT, designed to provide support and resources tailored specifically to their academic journey. This innovative tool offers a compelling alternative to widely-known large language models like Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT, and Copilot, prioritizing security, efficiency, and specialized knowledge.

A Focus on Security and Efficiency

Developed by Prof. Dr. Sven Jörges and Andre Maria Cordes, Info-GPT began as a chatbot project in early 2022, aiming to answer general study-related questions and direct students to helpful resources. The project evolved to leverage generative AI after the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022.

Unlike its larger counterparts, Info-GPT doesn’t rely on massive server farms or AI satellites. It operates efficiently with just a server and a graphics card, capable of handling up to 50 simultaneous requests. This localized infrastructure similarly enhances data security, preventing information from being shared externally.

Exclusive FH Dortmund Knowledge

One of the key differentiators of Info-GPT is its exclusive access to FH Dortmund-specific information. As Prof. Jörges explains, “But You’ll see areas that the large LLMs cannot look into,” emphasizing the assistant’s ability to provide highly relevant and accurate answers related to the university’s courses, resources, and personnel.

The AI assistant assists students with questions about courses, provides tips on assignments and projects, offers access to learning materials, and helps connect students with relevant contacts.

Part of a Larger AI Initiative

IPPOLIS Chat is one of four sub-projects within the larger IPPOLIS project – which stands for “Intelligent support of project- and problem-oriented teaching and integration into study processes”. This initiative is funded by the federal-state initiative “Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education” and aims to promote the use of AI-powered learning tools at FH Dortmund.

In October, all four sub-projects were integrated into a case study within the “Data Science Project” course, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the data science workflow.

FAQ

The development of Info-GPT represents a significant step forward in leveraging AI to enhance the student experience, offering a secure, efficient, and highly relevant resource for the FH Dortmund community.