OpenAI starts testing a “memory” feature that is on by default and lets ChatGPT and custom GPTs remember info about users and their conversations over time

Talking to an AI chatbot can feel a bit like Groundhog Day after a while, as you tell it for the umpteenth …

The Verge 2024-02-14 David Pierce

Context & Ripple Effects

This test marks an early move from stateless chatbot sessions toward persistent user context. Later coverage shows OpenAI recasting the capability as an optional Memory feature for ChatGPT Plus users, indicating that persistence and user choice became linked parts of the rollout.

The arc subsequently broadened from saved facts to answers informed by past chats, and then to a summary page for reviewing and steering remembered information. That progression makes this initial default-on test consequential: memory is becoming a product layer that must be managed, not just a convenience feature.

First-order effects

ChatGPT and custom GPTs can tailor later interactions using information retained from users and prior conversations, reducing repeated setup for people in the test.
Because the test is default-on, affected users must account for persistence as part of ordinary chatbot use rather than treating each conversation as isolated.

Second-order effects

Persistent context raises pressure on rival assistants to match continuity across sessions, while making user controls and clarity about what is retained a more visible product consideration.
Custom GPT builders gain a route to more personalized interactions, but their experiences become more dependent on the platform’s memory behavior rather than only the instructions in each GPT.

Third-order effects

If persistent context becomes standard, assistant competition will shift further from one-off answer quality toward durable user context, control mechanisms, and the ability to carry work across interactions.
The later addition of a page to review and steer memory suggests that memory governance may become a core interface layer as assistants take on more continuous roles.

The trend: AI assistants are evolving from session-based chat tools into persistent, user-aware operating layers whose value depends on retained context and user control.

Discussion

@n1ftey @n1ftey on threads
ChatGPT is getting a memory function (currently in beta) Testing the ability to keep track of our chats, so no more repeating yourself. Should also be able to tell it what to remember, peek at its memory, or hit the ‘forget’ button anytime. Plus, it gets smarter the more we cha…
@intelwire.bsky.social J.M. Berger on bluesky
Just what we need, a technology that tells users *more* of what they want to hear without regard for truth. [embedded post]
@joannejang Joanne Jang on x
📝 we just launched a small experiment for memory on ChatGPT. how it works - it's quite similar to custom instructions, except chatgpt is the one driving it (like auto vs. stick shift!) - basically, we taught chatgpt to keep a notepad for itself. every time you share information..…
@openai @openai on x
We're testing ChatGPT's ability to remember things you discuss to make future chats more helpful. This feature is being rolled out to a small portion of Free and Plus users, and it's easy to turn on or off. https://openai.com/... [image]
@altryne Alex Volkov on x
ChatGPT will not come with selective memory, where it will try and figure out what details from what conversation to remember about you. Very interesting attempt at personalization!
@simonw Simon Willison on x
Here's how the new “memory” feature of ChatGPT works: it uses a new tool called “bio” described in the system prompt like this: [image]
@alliekmiller Allie K. Miller on x
OpenAI keeps launching mini versions of a thing and then a bigger version of a similar thing, without fear of cannibalism (or confusion). First launched plug-ins. Now GPTs. First launched custom instructions. Now Memories. Props for experimentation 🤙 https://openai.com/...
@stufflistings Mukul Sharma on x
ChatGPT is getting a new feature called memory that allows it to remember information about you and your conversations over time - There are two ways memory works: you can tell ChatGPT to remember something specific about you, or it can try to pick up on details over time - Each.…
@jeremynguyenphd Jeremy Nguyen on x
@rowancheung Thanks, Rowan. The new ChatGPT memory feature reminds me: we can export every chat we've had, and see: - what works well - what prompts we keep repeating - areas we're still not getting good outcomes for Keen to see what people are doing with this.
@mikebutcher Mike Butcher on x
“By default, memory will be turned on” in ChaptGPT. Er, has anyone there heard of “opt-in”? GDPR? https://www.theverge.com/...
@therealadamg @therealadamg on x
@AlexBerish It's more. It's a model trained to enable this foundational memory experience.
@emollick Ethan Mollick on x
How persistent memory likely works for ChatGPT - it writes notes about you using a new “bio” tool, and then adds those to context Since GPT-4 is a great “cold reader,” it can likely feel very personalized with just a few notes as hints. I wonder how it affects the context window
@ikeadrift Benjamin on x
today we launched a small-scale experimental test of memory within chatgpt. if you find yourself in the enabled cohort and happen to see this post, feel free reach out directly—i'm excited about the future of this feature and would love to hear about your experiences w it.
@parismarx Paris Marx on x
ChatGPT does not have “a memory.” It does not “remember” anything. OpenAI is just storing data about you and your engagement with its product. I'm begging the media to stop repeating tech companies' misleading framings of their products. [image]
@chatgptapp @chatgptapp on x
Memory is the faculty of the mind by which data or information is encoded, stored, and retrieved when needed. It is the retention of information over time for the purpose of influencing future action.
@rowancheung Rowan Cheung on x
New ChatGPT feature just dropped: Memory. Personalized and tailored AI assistants are getting closer every day.
@swyx @swyx on x
ChatGPT finally getting persistent memory and temporary chat (ironically, the inverse of memory)! I believe most chats should default temporary, with opt-in save-to-history after the fact; but I wonder if OpenAI will ever recognize that in its pursuit of data. As for memory,... […
r/ChatGPT r on reddit
OpenAI rolling out memory to select free and plus users
r/technology r on reddit
ChatGPT is getting ‘memory’ to remember who you are and what you like | As its chatbot gets more powerful, OpenAI is also letting it get more personal. …
r/OpenAI r on reddit
Memory and new controls for ChatGPT

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