Google's Gemini Introduces Memory to Remember Your Preferences

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In any relationship, it’s essential to hope that when you reveal personal information, the other party will take that context into account in your future interactions. As we start to form connections with AI, many of us seek that same type of understanding. To address this, Google has launched a new “memory” feature for its Gemini assistant.

Gemini Will Soon Remember Your Preferences

After the introduction of ChatGPT’s memory feature earlier in 2024, Google recently shared on X that users of Gemini Advanced will now be able to instruct the AI assistant to remember their preferences. This functionality aims to enable the virtual assistant to customize its responses more effectively based on individual user needs.

For example, if you’re using Gemini for culinary inspiration and you can’t stand mayonnaise, you can request that Gemini remember this preference, ensuring it won’t suggest recipes like potato salad. This is just one of the many ways you can utilize Gemini’s memory feature to make it a more effective assistant for both personal and professional tasks.

Who Can Use Gemini’s New Memory Function?

To benefit from the newly introduced memory feature, you must have a subscription to Google One’s AI Premium plan, which comes at a cost of $20 per month. However, Google does offer a one-month free trial for new users.

Currently, you can only access this feature through a web browser; it is not yet available on the Gemini mobile app for iOS or Android.

A Distant Memory

You have authority over the data that Gemini retains. If there’s anything you’d like the AI assistant to “forget”—perhaps because your taste has shifted—you can easily remove previous information. Additionally, you can disable this feature at any time, as indicated on Google’s support page. This means if you prefer for Gemini to start each conversation without any preconceived ideas, you can do so.

As someone with a patchy memory myself, I’m eager to see how this new feature of Gemini could enhance productivity. Similar to ChatGPT’s memory feature, Gemini might have limits on the information it can store, potentially making it less efficient in certain scenarios. Moreover, any digital tool designed to save personal data, like passwords or preferences, can introduce privacy concerns.

While I am cautious about companies like Google leveraging personal data for targeted advertising, I worry even more about this information falling into the hands of cybercriminals. Therefore, while relying on artificial memory may seem convenient, I plan to proceed carefully before sharing any sensitive or private information.