In a move to make its AI chatbot more intuitive and user-friendly, Google is reportedly working on a new feature for Bard, its chatbot service. This feature, known as “Memory,” aims to enable Bard to remember specific details about users to personalize interactions. The development appears to be Google’s response to a similar feature in ChatGPT called “Custom Instructions,” which has garnered positive feedback for its ability to make conversations more relevant and personalized.
What is Bard’s “Memory” Feature?
Currently, each conversation with Bard starts from a clean slate. While it does use some details like your current location to personalize responses, you still need to remind it of specific preferences or requirements at the start of each conversation. For example, if you’re on a gluten-free diet, you’d need to mention that every time you ask Bard for recipe suggestions.
The upcoming “Memory” feature aims to change this by allowing Bard to remember essential details about your preferences. Early UI examples include statements like “I try to avoid eating meat” or “I have 2 kids,” which Bard would use to personalize recipe suggestions, travel recommendations, and other interactions.
How Does It Compare to ChatGPT’s Custom Instructions?
ChatGPT’s “Custom Instructions” is a powerful feature that allows users to give specific guidelines or preferences for the chatbot to follow when generating responses. Users can specify the tone, style, or content they want, and ChatGPT will try to adhere to those instructions as much as possible. This feature is available to ChatGPT Plus account holders and can be easily managed in the settings.
Examples of how Custom Instructions can be used include:
- Teachers specifying the subject and grade level they are teaching to get educational content.
- Entrepreneurs detailing the type of business they have for tailored marketing or sales content.
- Content creators outlining the genre and format they are working on for customized creative content.
Managing Your Preferences in Bard
According to early reports, Bard’s Memory feature will be accessible via a left-side menu where users can add new preferences. This menu will likely also allow users to delete memories that are either incorrect or no longer relevant.
Privacy Concerns and User Control
Given that Bard will store personalized information, Google has integrated privacy controls to manage this data. Users will have the option to quickly and easily turn off Bard’s Memory feature, enabling them to have conversations that aren’t based on stored details.
Final Thoughts
Google’s Bard adopting a memory feature akin to ChatGPT’s Custom Instructions suggests a growing trend in AI chatbot technology toward more personalized and intuitive user experiences. While Bard’s Memory feature is still in the works, its introduction could significantly impact how users interact with AI chatbots, potentially making them more integral in daily tasks and decision-making processes.
