You'll soon be able to tell ChatGPT to forget things or remember certain things for future conversations.
Today, OpenAI began rolling out new “memory” controls to some free and paid users of ChatGPT as part of a test, with plans to roll them out more broadly at an unspecified point in the future. This control allows you to explicitly tell ChatGPT to remember something, confirm what it remembers, or turn off memory completely.
OpenAI explains in a blog post:
“ChatGPT can now transfer what it learns between chats, giving you more relevant responses. When you chat with ChatGPT, you can ask it to remember something specific, , and let the chat retrieve details itself. ChatGPT's memory gets better the more you use it, and you'll start to notice improvements over time.”
It's not hard to imagine scenarios where ChatGPT with memory would be useful.
For example, if you want ChatGPT to remember that you live in the suburbs and prefer driving to public transportation, you can simply mention that fact (e.g., “I live in the suburbs. Please keep in mind that I live in , and go there mostly by car.'') Or, if you have a kindergartener and want your parenting advice to be aimed at younger children, you can highlight that (e.g., “Remember, I have a kindergartener.”) ).
OpenAI lists several ways that memory can also be useful in business settings, including remembering the tone, voice, and formatting of blog posts, as well as programming languages and frameworks.
Image credits: OpenAI
GPT — a custom chatbot powered by models from OpenAI (available from the GPT store) — has a memory of its own. For example, Books GPT automatically remembers the books you've already read and the genres you like the most. However, these memories are never shared with ChatGPT. And vice versa.
Both ChatGPT and GPT's memory features can be disabled at any time from the ChatGPT settings menu, and when turned off, ChatGPT and GPT will no longer create or use memory. From this same menu, you can view and delete specific memory, or clear all memory.
Please note that deleting a chat from your chat history does not erase ChatGPT or GPT's memory. The memory itself must be deleted.
Now, we imagine that ChatGPT can accumulate a lot of sensitive personal information in its memory over time, especially considering that the memory feature is turned on by default. OpenAI acknowledges that potential and also says it may use memory to improve its models, with carve-out exceptions for ChatGPT business customers and users who opt out.
But OpenAI also said it has taken steps to ensure ChatGPT does not “actively” remember sensitive information, such as health details, unless users explicitly request it.
“ChatGPT's memories evolve in response to user interactions and are not linked to any specific conversation,” OpenAI writes. “[And] Memories such as chats with GPT are not shared with GPT builders. ”
To enable a more privacy-preserving experience, OpenAI is rolling out new ephemeral chat features in ChatGPT. This was initially limited to a small subset of free and subscription users. Temporary chat essentially allows you to interact with a blank slate. ChatGPT does not recognize previous conversations or access your memories, but intention If custom instructions are enabled, follow them.
Image credits: OpenAI
However, OpenAI says it may store copies of Temporary Chat conversations for up to 30 days for “security reasons.”