Memory (AI)

Memory in AI refers to the ability of an AI system to retain and recall information across interactions — not just within a single conversation, but over time. Basic AI tools have no persistent memory: each conversation starts fresh. Memory-enabled systems can recall previous interactions, user preferences, and accumulated context.

For AI agents handling ongoing workflows — managing a project, supporting a recurring business process, building understanding of a client — memory is essential for quality and efficiency. Different AI systems implement memory differently: some store it in structured databases, others in summarized form, others by including full conversation history in each request.