Google's Gemini AI just got a whole lot smarter and this changes everything

Gemini Advanced users are getting a helpful new feature: the ability to remember past conversations. This update means Gemini can use information from earlier chats to give better answers and complete tasks more effectively. No more repeating yourself or searching through old threads, as Gemini can now pick up where you left off.

This type of functionality has been a long time coming in AI. I remember when early language models were essentially blank slates with each new interaction. They had no context beyond the current prompt, making it difficult to have complex or extended dialogues.

However, over time, researchers developed methods to give AI a sort of short-term memory, allowing it to remember information within a single conversation. This was a big step forward, but it still had limitations. Once the conversation ended, the AI's memory was wiped clean. The latest feature that functions as a type of long-term memory, like the one being rolled out for Gemini Advanced, is a significant advance.

With it, Gemini can now access and process information from past interactions. This has many potential applications. For example, if you're using Gemini for a long project, you won't have to re-explain your goals or previous steps each time. Gemini can simply refer back to earlier parts of the conversation. This could be particularly useful for tasks like coding, writing, or research.