OpenAI Boosts ChatGPT’s Memory Features for More Customized Interactions
OpenAI has improved ChatGPT’s memory capabilities, enabling the AI to remember and reference a greater number of your previous conversations for a more personalized experience.
In a disclosure made Thursday on X (previously known as Twitter), OpenAI announced that ChatGPT can now automatically recall all a user’s former chats to produce responses that are more personalized and context-sensitive. Previously, users had the option to activate a memory feature that enabled ChatGPT to remember certain saved information, like your name or preferences. With this enhancement, the chatbot can now utilize a wider array of prior conversations—even when you haven’t specifically requested that information be remembered.
“In addition to the saved memories that were previously available, it can now refer to your earlier chats to provide answers that feel significantly more relevant and beneficial,” OpenAI stated in a post on X.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hinted at the modification earlier that day, sharing his enthusiasm on X: “A few times a year I rise early and struggle to return to sleep because we are launching a new feature I’ve been eagerly looking forward to for such a long time. Today is one of those moments!” While some speculated the announcement might pertain to a significant model update like GPT-4 mini or GPT-5, Altman was actually referencing the enhanced memory functionality.
This change comes as competition in the AI sector heats up. In February, Google launched a comparable memory feature for its Gemini AI, permitting it to remember and utilize past interactions. With Google Cloud Next occurring this week, the company has been consistently rolling out updates related to Gemini and its AI features.
For users worried about privacy, OpenAI has implemented two new options to control how ChatGPT utilizes memory. Users can deactivate “Reference saved memories,” which stops the AI from using stored personal information like your name or preferences. Moreover, disabling “Reference chat history” prevents ChatGPT from leveraging past conversations to adjust to your style, goals, or recurring subjects. However, OpenAI clarified that while this chat history isn’t stored as saved memory, it remains in your chat log unless you engage a Temporary Chat.
Temporary Chat mode functions like an incognito session, ensuring conversations aren’t recorded in your history and don’t impact ChatGPT’s memory.
The upgraded memory features are now accessible for ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers. Support for Team, Enterprise, and Education plans will be introduced in the upcoming weeks. However, the feature is not yet available in the European Economic Area (EEA), the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein.