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
The VergeDavid Pierce
Context & Ripple Effects
OpenAI had already broadened custom instructions that retain user details, establishing a lighter-weight way to tailor ChatGPT before persistent conversational recall entered testing. The new test extends that personalization model from user-supplied preferences to information accumulated across interactions.
Later coverage shows the feature being reframed as an optional Memory setting for ChatGPT Plus users and then expanded to reference past chats for paid tiers. That arc makes the initial default-on test an early design choice in OpenAI’s push toward a more continuous assistant experience.
First-order effects
For test participants, ChatGPT and custom GPTs can carry user information and conversation context between sessions rather than treating each chat as isolated.
Making the test default-on makes persistent recall part of the baseline product experience for affected users, not solely a configuration chosen in advance.
Second-order effects
Custom GPT experiences can become more personalized over repeat use, raising the value of returning to the same GPT rather than starting a fresh interaction elsewhere.
Rival assistant products face a clearer expectation to pair personalization with understandable memory settings, as OpenAI’s later past-chat reference rollout indicates the capability can extend beyond saved preferences.
Third-order effects
If persistent memory becomes standard, assistant competition will shift further from one-off answer quality toward durable user context and the controls that govern it.
The product boundary may move toward an assistant operating layer: a reusable personal context can make individual chats and custom GPTs feel like parts of one ongoing service, though adoption will depend on users accepting that trade-off.
The trend: This is an early point in the shift from session-based chatbots to persistent, personalized assistants that retain context across work and conversations.
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…
📝 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..…
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!
@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.
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.
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.…
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]
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,... […
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
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.
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/...
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]
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. …