OpenAI has announced a major upgrade to ChatGPT’s memory feature, making the AI chatbot better at remembering information about users and offering more personalised responses over time. To understand the update, let’s recap how ChatGPT’s memory has evolved. OpenAI first introduced memory in April 2024 through a feature called saved memories. At the time, ChatGPT could remember certain details about users, but it mostly relied on direct instructions. For example, users had to tell ChatGPT to remember a specific fact. Over time, many people also noticed that some of the stored memories became less useful or outdated.
To improve this experience, OpenAI developed a system called dreaming. This process works in the background and allows ChatGPT to connect information from multiple conversations without needing users to repeatedly ask it to remember things.
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“Over the last year, dreaming supplemented saved memories to create a step-function improvement in ChatGPT’s ability to personalise responses and offset the staleness of saved memories,” OpenAI explains. “However, it historically was never sufficient as a standalone memory system.”
The latest update introduces a new memory architecture that builds on the dreaming process. According to OpenAI, this new system is “significantly” more capable and compute-efficient.
One of the biggest additions is a memory summary that users can view at any time. This summary shows what ChatGPT has learned about them. Users can update details, add new information or remove things they no longer want ChatGPT to remember. “If you want to drill down into a particular area to learn more, just chat with the model,” says OpenAI.
The company also says the new system is better at carrying context from previous conversations. For instance, if a user has discussed photography and mentioned the camera they use, ChatGPT can later recommend compatible accessories or products.
Another improvement is that ChatGPT will automatically update and revise memories over time, helping prevent outdated information from affecting future conversations.
The new memory architecture is rolling out first to Plus and Pro users in the US. OpenAI says free users will soon benefit from the dreaming-based memory system as well, while users in other countries will receive the update in the coming weeks.
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