ChatGPT's "Memory" Feature Finally Arrives in EU & South Korea

ChatGPT has recently rolled out a key update for its macOS app, introducing the "Memory" feature to users in Europe and South Korea, which as previously unavailable in these regions.

This update marks a significant shift, allowing users in these regions to store their preferences and personal information within the chatbot, leading to more customised responses.

The "Memory" feature enables ChatGPT to remember details like preferred response styles, personal data, and past interactions.

By activating this feature, users can enjoy a more tailored and personalised experience with the chatbot.

ChatGPT Can Save & Learn to Benefit Users

ChatGPT's new "Memory" feature, now available to users in Europe and Korea, allows the chatbot to remember user-specific details across sessions.

For example, users can instruct the chatbot to recall preferences like "I prefer concise responses" or "I just got a puppy."

These preferences will be integrated into future interactions, making the experience more personalised and relevant.

To enable this feature, users must update their ChatGPT macOS app.

After updating, navigate to the settings by clicking the profile icon in the top right corner, then select the "Personalisation" tab to toggle on the "Memory" option.

This enables ChatGPT to remember user preferences and personal details, tailoring responses to suit individual needs.

For instance, if a user requests meeting notes in bullet points, this preference will be remembered and applied to future notes, enhancing and personalising the interaction.

ChatGPT Users Can Personalise Responses

One of the standout features of this update is the user's ability to control what information the chatbot retains.

Users have full discretion over what data is saved, with the option to view and erase specific details at any time.

Additionally, the chatbot offers a "Clear ChatGPT's memory" function, allowing users to delete all stored information with a single click.

This memory feature, now available to ChatGPT users in Europe and South Korea, provides flexibility in customising the chatbot experience.

Importantly, the feature is entirely optional; those who prefer not to save any data can continue using ChatGPT without enabling memory.

The "Memory" description emphasizes that ChatGPT will become more helpful as it learns from your interactions, customising its responses based on your preferences.

Users can manage stored data by clicking on the "Manage" button to review and delete any information.

Is ChatGPT's "Memory" Update a Double-Edged Sword?

ChatGPT's latest macOS update introduces the "Memory" feature to Europe and South Korea, allowing for more personalised responses by saving user preferences.

While this feature has the potential to elevate personalisation to new heights by tailoring interactions based on past behavior and preferences, it also raises concerns about privacy and data security.

The ability of the chatbot to remember personal details could be seen as a double-edged sword—enhancing user experience on one hand, but potentially risking the misuse of sensitive information on the other.

OpenAI explained that they are "taking steps to assess and mitigate biases, and steer ChatGPT away from proactively remembering sensitive information…”

As with any AI feature that stores personal data, careful consideration of these risks is essential.