What is AI Memory?
AI memory allows a chatbot to remember facts, preferences, and context across separate conversations. Without memory, every new chat starts blank. With memory enabled, the AI gradually learns your name, your job, your preferred writing style, and other details you share, so it can give more relevant and personalized responses over time.
Common use cases- Storing your role, company, and communication preferences so every answer is tailored to you
- Remembering project context so you can pick up where you left off in a new conversation
- Keeping track of recurring tasks or ongoing goals without re-explaining them each time
Step 1: Saved Memories
You explicitly tell ChatGPT to remember something (e.g. "Remember that I prefer Python over JavaScript"). You have full control to view, edit, and delete individual memories in Settings > Personalization > Memory.
Step 2: Chat History References
ChatGPT automatically learns from your past conversations and picks up on patterns (e.g. it notices you always ask for metric units). You can toggle this on or off in Settings > Data Controls.
Memory vs Custom Instructions
Memory learns from your conversations over time, while Custom Instructions are explicit rules you set once (your profession, preferred language, formatting preferences). Use Custom Instructions for preferences that should always apply; use Memory for details that come up naturally in conversation.