ChatGPT is getting ‘memory’ to remember who you are and what you like

By David Pierce , editor-at-large and Vergecast co-host with over a decade of experience covering consumer tech. Previously, at Protocol, The Wall Street Journal, and Wired.

Talking to an AI chatbot can feel a bit like Groundhog Day after a while, as you tell it for the umpteenth time how you like your emails formatted and which of those “fun things to do this weekend” you’ve already done six times. OpenAI is trying to fix that and personalize its own bot in a big way. It’s rolling out “memory” for ChatGPT, which will allow the bot to remember information about you and your conversations over time.

Memory works in one of two ways. You can tell ChatGPT to remember something specific about you: you always write code in Javascript, your boss’s name is Anna, your kid is allergic to sweet potatoes. Or ChatGPT can simply try to pick up those details over time, storing information about you as you ask questions and get answers. In either case, the goal is for ChatGPT to feel a little more personal and a little smarter, without needing to be reminded every time.

Each custom GPT you use will have its own memory, too. OpenAI uses the Books GPT as an example: with memory turned on, it can automatically remember which books you’ve already read and which genres you like best. There are lots of places in the GPT Store you can imagine memory might be useful, for that matter. The Tutor Me could offer a much better long-term course load once it knows what you know; Kayak could go straight to your favorite airlines and hotels; GymStreak could track your progress over time.

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