Giving LLMs Episodic Memories
Take a moment to think about yourself * … You probably have a good idea of who you are (or are working on it). We humans ( and other animals ) possess a self-concept that emerges from the rich tapestry of our daily experiences, actions, and thoughts. Much of this tapestry fades quickly — while you might remember what you ate yesterday, chances are you can’t recall your dinner from a month ago. Yet, some moments mysteriously stand out and become memorable, even foundational. Think about that one time you discovered a dessert so divine that it instantly became one of your favorite treats.
But what about AIs? Ask any AI ( a modern LLM, for instance ), and you will get a non-answer:
What did you do yesterday ?
LLM (ChatGPT): As an AI, I don't have personal experiences or a sense
of time, so I don't have a "yesterday."
Human: Woke up, had breakfast (Oatmeal), practiced guitar,
went to the gym,worked on project A for a few hours, had lunch (Gaspacho),
a nap, worked on projects B and C, met a friend for coffee, had dinner
(shrimp quesadillas), took a shower, watched half a movie (Dune II),
played some videogames (Cult of the Lamb), worked on project D, read a
book (The Anger Trap) and went to bed.
Note how much both you and I can tell about myself as a subject based on
just a…
