CSU GPT launches its way into the future

By Matthew Horn
The Ramspondents

Colorado State University is stepping into the future with the launch of its "CSU GPT" program. This  innovative tool is designed to harness the power of artificial intelligence to improve student learning, streamline campus services, and support faculty and staff with agent creation and support.

David Edwards, the university’s Director of Web Services and AI initiatives, has been a driving force behind the program His work builds on deep experience with AI and machine learning. After working at CSU for more than 13 years, Edwards was part of the university’s AI Design Group, which laid the groundwork for this cutting-edge project.

"I’ve been with CSU for a long time, and seeing how the university has embraced AI has been exciting. This is about bringing technology to the people who need it most and it's evolving in real-time," Edwards said.

The launch of CSU GPT follows a years-long effort that began during the pandemic, when Edwards pursued his master’s degree in AI and machine learning. Nine months ago, CSU’s Chief Information Officer, Brandon Bernier, spearheaded the creation of an AI design team, which Edwards and others were part of. 

"Our charge was to explore how we could use AI effectively, and CSU GPT is a big part of that vision," Edwards said.

The tool is powered by Nebula One, a platform developed in collaboration with Microsoft and Cloud Force. Edwards acknowledged that while the university had some branding hurdles to overcome, "...Nebula One is the backbone on which CSU GPT runs, and it’s also the foundation for other exciting initiatives like RAMGPT, which will launch in spring 2026."

The primary goal of CSU GPT is to provide a secure and accessible AI-powered resource for the CSU community. 

"We wanted to create a version of a large language model that’s accessible to students, faculty, and staff without the concerns about privacy that come with public tools like ChatGPT," Edwards said. "What sets CSU GPT apart is that nothing uploaded to the system will be used to train AI models in the future, ensuring that research and personal data are secure."

While CSU GPT was initially conceived as a tool to complement existing AI offerings like Microsoft’s Copilot, Edwards noted that Copilot has since improved dramatically, changing the landscape. 

"Microsoft’s Copilot has gotten a lot better, and with it, the need for CSU GPT has shifted," Edwards said. "But our real focus now is on RAMGPT, which is geared toward students and designed to help answer all kinds of campus-related questions ranging from dining hall hours to rec center yoga schedules." 

RAMGPT is the evolution of CSU-GPT and is the end goal for student-AI relation and connection.

Looking to the future, Edwards said he is particularly excited about RAMGPT’s potential to evolve into a comprehensive student assistant. 

"We want RAMGPT to be more than just a chatbot," he said. "It will integrate with different campus systems like housing, parking, and dining to provide students with accurate, real-time information. It’s not just about answering simple questions; it’s about improving the overall student experience."

However, Edwards acknowledged that the current iteration of RAMGPT is still in its early stages. 

"Right now, RAMGPT doesn’t know who you are, where you are, or what your next class is. But that’s something we’re working on. The goal is for RAMGPT to eventually become more personalized so that it can tell you things like your class schedule or the closest coffee shop," he explained.

CSU has also partnered with the city of Fort Collins, which has shown interest in the university's AI efforts. Edwards described a recent demo for city officials: "They were very curious about what we were doing and how they could incorporate AI into their own operations. It’s exciting to see that there’s interest from both the university and the city in this technology."

We reached out to the city of Fort Collins and asked about their future goals with AI but did not  hear back. 

Despite the project’s  progress, Edwards remains concerned about  the environmental impact of AI. 

"AI is still so new, and there’s a lot we don’t know about its environmental costs," he said. "We’ve heard that the training phase of AI models requires a massive amount of energy and water, but the actual use of the models is much less resource-intensive. It’s still a mystery how AI will ultimately affect the environment, and I think CSU’s School of Global Environmental Sustainability will need to look into this further."

Edwards shared his personal perspective on how CSU GPT and AI in general could impact everyday tasks. 

"For me, AI has been a game-changer in terms of communication," he said. "I use CSU GPT to help me draft emails in my own voice. It saves me time, and it makes me more productive. The possibilities are endless."

For students, faculty, and staff at CSU, Edwards encouraged exploration: 

"This is a new tool, and the best way to learn how it can help you is to dive in. We’re just at the beginning of what AI can do for higher education, and I can’t wait to see how it evolves." 

CSU’s AI initiatives, particularly CSU GPT, position the university as a leader in technology-driven education, with an eye toward making the campus smarter, more efficient, and more connected. As Edwards summarized , “We’re really just getting started.” 

CSU junior Matthew Horn is working toward his major with focus on journalism, sports broadcasting and a hint of music.

By Ave Fricke
The Ramspondents

In August 2025, Fort Collins Police Services were notified of a sexual relationship between a school counselor at Poudre School District’s Poudre Community Academy and a juvenile student. FCPS detectives initiated an investigation into Janell Edsall and determined she had engaged in a sexual relationship with a juvenile student for approximately one year, beginning in 2023.

The victim is an adult currently, but when the crimes occurred the victim was a juvenile. 

On Nov. 19, Edsall was booked into the Larimer County Jail on the following charges:

Edsall has not been employed with PSD since July. Edsall also worked as a private practice counselor at Vine Counseling LLC in Fort Collins. Law enforcement is concerned that there may be more victims or witnesses of criminal behavior. Residents with information should contact Detective RJ Tuttle at (970) 416-2825 or Larimer County Crime Stoppers at (970) 221-6868.

Ava Fricke is a political journalist focusing on written media.

By Matthew Horn
The Ramspondents

The city has announced that the Siphon Overpass project is complete with a planned official opening of Friday, Dec. 5, weather permitting. This pass is a restoration of a key section of the Power Trail and gives direct, safe access to the Mail Creek Trail. 

The new overpass gives trail users a safe place to cross the railroad tracks along Mail Creek Trail and connects it to the Power Trail, which now gives residents a connected trail from the southeast part of town to the heart of the city. 

Besides the overpass, the project included realignment of the Power Trail to meet the structure and improvements to nearby trail sections. 

The Overpass project was completed on time and in accordance with the Union Pacific Railroad and the Platte River Power Authority, among other local stakeholders and groups. 

CSU junior Matthew Horn is working toward his major with focus on journalism, sports broadcasting and a hint of music.