The AI chatbot ChatGPT has received an update that gives it a new feature. CEO and tech billionaire Sam Altman believes this feature will revolutionize the AI again and make it more efficient.
What kind of update is it? Recently, the AI tool ChatGPT received a more extensive update called “ChatGPT Distinct.” This allows the artificial intelligence to now remember previous inputs from a user and refer to them.
ChatGPT uses all the inputs you have made and thus creates even more personalized responses and even builds a bond with its users. The introduction of this feature was announced by OpenAI’s CEO, the company behind the AI, Sam Altman via X:
We have significantly improved ChatGPT’s memory – it can now refer to all your past conversations! This is a surprisingly great feature, and it points to something that excites us: AI systems that you get to know throughout your life and that become extremely useful and personalized.
So far, mainly Pro users can use the new feature and continue to train it. In the future, this function is also to be made accessible to Plus users. According to the CEO, the feature can also be disabled or applied only to certain chats.
Memories as the next step?
What benefits should this feature provide? So far, there has been no development in the chats with the AI tool. Each input has mainly been a new approach and could refer very little to no previous messages.
With the new feature, this becomes a “more human” interaction, where the AI remembers previous details, such as the user having a specific allergy, liking a certain sport, or facing specific issues more frequently.
Through the feature, the chatbot can incorporate such information into new conversations and tasks and often requires less concrete inputs in the long term.
Is there also criticism? On one hand, there is the question of privacy. Because of the persistent storage of the entered data, while extreme customization options for the responses are provided, sensitive data and information about the users are also stored on a server controlled by a company.
On the other hand, for some users, the feature might tempt them to replace complex human interactions with predictable interactions with the AI, which is designed to give responses that please the users. This can quickly lead to the AI replacing human contacts in certain areas, which can cause problems and psychological changes.
With the new feature, the AI appears significantly more human-like and can provide more efficient support in many areas. However, this could also lead to even more people interacting with it politely. That costs a lot of electricity and money, as CEO Sam Altman recently confirmed: The head of ChatGPT says users squander a fortune because they say please and thank you to the AI
