OpenAI has recently announced a significant enhancement to its popular web-based chatbot application, ChatGPT. This upgrade introduces the concept of persistent memory.

Gradually being introduced to a limited number of users on ChatGPT’s free tier and paid subscription ChatGPT Plus ($20 per month), this new feature enables users to request ChatGPT to remember information they provide. The app can then retrieve this information later, even in new and unrelated chat sessions.

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://t.co/1Tv355oa7V pic.twitter.com/BsFinBSTbs

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) February 13, 2024

There is a clear contrast in the way ChatGPT has functioned so far. Previously, the app would only save information that the user shared during a single chat session. When you end a chat session and begin a new one, ChatGPT has traditionally started with a clean slate of knowledge, except for any specific instructions you may have provided in the settings.

With the addition of its new memory feature, ChatGPT can now save users valuable time by eliminating the need to repeat information during chat sessions.

However, it is initially being introduced to a limited number of free and Plus users to evaluate its effectiveness. Subscribers to the Teams and Enterprise plans will receive the capability in the future.

The decision to improve ChatGPT in this manner is a response to the increasing competition in the AI assistant industry.

Last week, Google made a significant move to highlight its AI chatbot by rebranding and introducing its powerful Gemini Advanced model as part of a new paid plan.

ChatGPT Memory: What to Expect?

In a recent blog post, OpenAI highlighted that ChatGPT with improved memory will start to gather more information as users engage in conversations with it.

With regular interaction, the chatbot’s memory will gradually improve. On the other hand, if someone desires the assistant to retain a particular piece of information, they can simply request that it “remember this” and provide the necessary details for storage.

The information that users provide is stored on their accounts and utilized to improve future conversations.

This can be quite useful in a variety of work and personal situations. For example, users can ask ChatGPT to remember their preferred article format, and the bot will consistently use that format without needing to be reminded repeatedly. In other instances, it has the ability to recall the programming languages one prefers for coding or the specific charts that are preferred for visualizing data.

OpenAI has stated that the memories gathered from both free and Plus users can be utilized for training its models, similar to any other content.

On the other hand, if a user prefers to steer clear of that, they have the option to switch to a temporary chat that won’t be saved in the history, won’t utilize or generate any data, and won’t be utilized for training the models.

By default, memory will be enabled for users. However, if desired, users can choose to disable it completely by navigating to the Personalization section in the settings of ChatGPT. Additionally, users have the ability to manage their memories by selectively deleting them from their accounts. Another way to handle this is by casually asking the assistant to disregard the information.

Focus on Safety, Wider Rollout Soon

The addition of memory functions to ChatGPT will undoubtedly be beneficial for users in both their professional and personal endeavors. However, successfully implementing it requires a fair and impartial approach to determining what should be remembered and what should not.

OpenAI has stated that it is actively working to evaluate and address biases in addition to ensuring that ChatGPT does not retain sensitive information, such as health details, unless specifically requested.

The company is currently testing the new capability with free and Plus users of ChatGPT. However, they are also planning to roll it out to Enterprise and Teams users in the near future. OpenAI has made it clear that memories for the latter will not be used for training.

In addition to the broader implementation, businesses developing GPTs will also have the opportunity to incorporate memory into their products. Builders can enhance customer experiences by tailoring them to individual interactions. Nevertheless, every GPT will possess its own unique recollection of conversations and will be connected to ChatGPT’s knowledge.

Discover your next read with the help of Books GPT. When memory is enabled, it has the ability to remember your preferences, like your favorite genres or top books, and then it customizes recommendations based on that information. This means you won’t have to keep inputting the same information over and over again,” the company explained.