Leading artificial intelligence company, OpenAI, has recently begun trials of a ChatGPT memory control feature. This innovative upgrade allows users to instruct the chatbot to retain specific topics discussed, enabling it to recall them in future dialogues and thereby enhancing its utility. Simultaneously, it also provides the option for users to instruct the bot to discard certain data.
This novel initiative aims to significantly improve user experience by making interactions with the chatbot smoother. Specifically, it seeks to eliminate the need for users to repeatedly input the same information in each conversation, by allowing the chatbot to commit certain data to memory.
In line with this objective, OpenAI has initiated tests on a memory configuration feature for ChatGPT. This permits users to manage the data the chatbot retains, as well as instruct it to forget specific pieces of information.
As stated in the company’s blog post, users can direct the chatbot to remember explicit details from the conversation. Additionally, they can inquire about the exact data it recalls and instruct it to forget particular information, all within the conversation itself.
The company further points out that users can manage the ChatGPT memory via chat settings. This section displays all data and information the chatbot has stored from previous conversations.
In the ‘Manage memory’ tab, users can determine the specific information ChatGPT retains and delete data it should not remember. A feature is also available that enables users to erase all information from memory, or even disable the memory function entirely, preventing the chatbot from generating any memories.
According to OpenAI, during a conversation, users can request ChatGPT to remember a specific piece of information or allow it to autonomously gather details. For instance, it can remember that a user owns a neighborhood coffee shop or has a young daughter who adores jellyfish.
When users ask ChatGPT to perform various tasks, the AI will consider this data to execute the tasks in the most valuable manner. For example, if a user requests ideas for her daughter’s birthday card, ChatGPT will remember her age and interest in jellyfish, and suggest pertinent ideas such as a jellyfish wearing a party hat.
This feature also enhances work methodologies. The chatbot can, for example, remember that a user prefers meeting notes with headlines and bullet points at the bottom and implement this preference when providing meeting summaries.
OpenAI emphasizes that the chatbot’s memory function will improve with use, leading to noticeable changes in conversations over time. However, the company also cautions that ChatGPT’s memories evolve with each interaction and are not linked to specific conversations. Therefore, simply deleting a conversation is insufficient to erase information; Users must explicitly delete the memories.
Moreover, OpenAI has clarified that it can utilize user content memorized by ChatGPT to refine its models. Users have the option to disable this feature in their chat settings under Data Controls.
An additional feature is the option to use temporary chats that allow users to converse without employing memory. These conversations do not appear in the history or use memory, hence, are not used to train the company’s models.
OpenAI has announced that this feature is currently under trial and has been rolled out to a limited number of users of both the free and Plus versions of ChatGPT. The company plans to initiate a broader rollout of this feature in the near future, extending it to custom GPT chatbots.
