Understanding AI memory

When we interact with artificial intelligence, we expect it to understand and remember what we’ve said earlier in the conversation. But how does its "memory" really work? How much can we rely on its ability to comprehend concepts expressed during a session? In this article, we’ll explore the concept of the context window and how it impacts the dialogue experience with an AI.

The Context Window: AI’s Temporary Memory

AI systems based on language models, such as ChatGPT, use a context window to process conversations. This window is simply a limited portion of text—the most recent sentences or words in the conversation—that the model keeps in mind to generate relevant responses. The context window has a specific limit (e.g., 4,000 words or tokens for some models), which represents the system’s capacity to "remember" what has been discussed.

Do I Need to Repeat a Concept Already Expressed?

If you have already shared information or explained a concept in a conversation, the AI can recall it within the context window. Here are some guidelines to determine whether it’s necessary to repeat a concept:

When You DON’T Need to Repeat:

• Recent Concept: If the concept was expressed clearly and is relevant to the current question.
• Simple Context: When the conversation is short and linear, the AI can follow the logical flow without difficulty.

When It’s Useful to Repeat:

• Long Conversation: If the concept was mentioned a long time ago and may no longer fit within the context window.
• Critical Details: If a point is particularly complex or fundamental to understanding the next question.
• Possible Ambiguity: If you fear the AI might interpret the concept incorrectly or incompletely.

What Happens When the Context Window Limit Is Exceeded?

Once the total text of the conversation exceeds the size of the context window, the oldest parts are removed from the AI’s memory. This means that:

• If a new question relies on a concept that has been removed, the AI will not be able to respond accurately.
• In such cases, it’s better to explicitly recall or summarize the concept.

Best Practices for Interacting with AI

To maximize clarity and obtain precise responses, you can adopt some best practices:

1. Summarize Key Concepts: If you need the AI to answer a complex question, briefly repeat the essential points.
2. Verify Understanding: You can ask, for example, "Do you understand what I mean by X?" to ensure the AI follows your reasoning.
3. Maintain a Linear Structure: Well-organized conversations help the AI retain context for longer.
4. Reduce Noise: Avoid unnecessary information that could take up valuable space in the context window.