Three jobs of good memory
Carry forward useful context · follow your preferences and constraints · stay current as time passes. OpenAI evaluates memory against all three.
Core capabilities
OpenAI defines “good memory” as doing three jobs well — each shown here with the example from the article.
① Carry context forward
Tell ChatGPT something once and it builds on it later. In the article, it recalls your underwater-camera setup and recommends a TTL trigger actually compatible with your gear.
② Follow preferences
Apply preferences and constraints — explicit (“I'm vegetarian”), implicit (“I live near San Francisco”), or instructions (“don't bring this up again”). The Singapore itinerary leans on your love of wildlife photography, strong AC and quiet dinners.
③ Stay current with time
Memory accounts for time passing — “planning a birthday party for next Saturday” must notice when Sunday arrives. So “You're going to Singapore in July” is revised to “You went to Singapore in July 2026” once the trip ends, and recommendations return to your home location.
Why “dreaming”
A background process curates and consolidates your memory between sessions — no command needed.
Less compute (Free)
The efficiency that lets Free users get dreaming too.