Soon, you’ll be able to instruct ChatGPT to remember or forget specific details in future conversations. OpenAI has initiated a test phase, introducing new “memory” controls for a select group of free and paid ChatGPT users, with wider availability anticipated in the future. These controls empower users to explicitly instruct ChatGPT to remember certain information, review its memory, or disable memory altogether.
As per OpenAI’s blog post, ChatGPT can now retain information across conversations, enabling it to deliver more pertinent responses. During interactions with ChatGPT, users have the option to prompt it to remember certain details or allow it to autonomously gather information. With each interaction, ChatGPT’s memory improves, leading to noticeable enhancements over time.
The potential applications of ChatGPT with memory are numerous. For instance, if you want ChatGPT to remember that you reside in the suburbs and prefer driving over public transit directions, you can simply inform it (“Remember that I live in the suburbs and mostly drive.”). Similarly, if you seek child-rearing advice tailored to younger children due to having a kindergartner, you can emphasize this fact (“Remember I have a kindergartner.”).
In a business context, memory could also prove invaluable, such as recalling tone, voice, and formatting preferences for blog posts, as well as languages and frameworks for programming.
GPTs, the custom chatbots powered by OpenAI’s models available through the GPT Store, possess their memories. However, these memories remain isolated; for instance, the Books GPT can remember books you’ve read and your preferred genres, yet these memories aren’t shared with ChatGPT.
Users have the option to disable the memory feature for both ChatGPT and GPTs at any time via the ChatGPT settings menu. When disabled, neither ChatGPT nor GPTs will generate or utilize memories. Users can also view and delete specific memories or clear all memories from this menu.
It’s worth noting that deleting a chat from chat history won’t erase ChatGPT’s or a GPT’s memories; users must delete the memory itself. OpenAI acknowledges the potential accumulation of sensitive personal details in ChatGPT’s memory, considering that the memory feature is enabled by default. However, OpenAI assures users that it may use memories to enhance its models, with exceptions made for ChatGPT business customers and users who opt out.
OpenAI is also taking measures to prevent ChatGPT from proactively remembering sensitive information, such as health details unless explicitly instructed by the user. Memories evolve with interactions and aren’t linked to specific conversations, and memories, like chats, aren’t shared with GPT builders.
For enhanced privacy, OpenAI is introducing a new Temporary Chat feature in ChatGPT, initially available to a limited subset of free and subscription users. With Temporary Chat, users can engage in conversations without ChatGPT retaining knowledge of previous interactions or accessing memories, while still adhering to custom instructions if enabled. OpenAI reserves the right to keep copies of Temporary Chat conversations for a period of up to 30 days for safety purposes.
