In a subtle yet significant update, OpenAI has rolled out the ‘Memory with Search’ feature for ChatGPT, marking another step in the AI’s evolution towards more personalized interactions. This enhancement allows ChatGPT to utilize details from previous conversations—such as dietary preferences or location—to tailor web search queries more effectively. For instance, if ChatGPT recalls a user’s vegan lifestyle and San Francisco residence, a query about nearby restaurants would automatically refine to ‘good vegan restaurants, San Francisco.’
This development follows closely on the heels of improvements to ChatGPT’s memory capabilities, now capable of referencing a user’s entire chat history. It’s a strategic move by OpenAI to distinguish ChatGPT from competitors like Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini, the latter of which also features memory functions. The feature, while promising, is not universally available yet, with reports of staggered rollouts among users.
OpenAI emphasizes user control, allowing the disabling of ‘Memory with Search’ through the ChatGPT settings menu. This balance between personalization and privacy underscores the nuanced approach OpenAI is taking in the competitive AI chatbot landscape.
