A third alternative for custom debate chatbot creation: SWOT analysis of the ChatGPT custom GPT builder and its products

This essay examines OpenAI’s custom GPT builder as a tool for designing custom chatbots to supplement debate practice and pedagogy. Employing a SWOT analysis informed by principles of IPDA debate, human–computer interaction (HCI), and experiential learning theory (ELT), this research evaluates the effectiveness of OpenAI’s custom GPT builder and the functionality of a set of custom debate chatbots created and managed through the builder’s interface. To that end, three custom chatbots – The Real Debate Buddy IV (DB4), Debate Robopanel, and IPDA Robopro – are developed and tested. Analyses reveal that while the builder facilitates efficient chatbot creation, certain limitations impact utility and viability. Despite these limitations, analyses suggest that the builder and its products present more potential advantages than disadvantages. This essay contributes to the growing discourse on AI in education, demonstrating that viable custom debate chatbots can be easily constructed and that, on balance, real and potential strengths and opportunities outweigh threats and weaknesses for IPDA debate practitioners. The case is made for continued refinement and critical assessment of AI tools in the context of competitive debate.