After remembering user data through the memory feature, OpenAI is offering ChatGPT users another way to understand what users have been doing on their computers. The Sam Altman-led firm announced on Thursday that it is introducing a Computer History feature for the ChatGPT desktop app on Mac, allowing the AI to retain information across selected apps and websites.
According to the company, this feature will help the users as ChatGPT gains more context during their conversations. Rather than explaining what users had been working on previously, users can ask ChatGPT about their activities and let it use the stored computer history to respond.
The tech giant announced the feature on X, saying that ChatGPT can now remember activity across websites and apps on a computer.
What is ChatGPT Computer History?
The Computer History feature will work like a searchable record of the user activity on a Mac. Once the feature is enabled, ChatGPT can use information about the user computer activity to offer more relevant answers.
For an instance, after taking a break from work, users may ask the chatbot what they were doing before the break. It could also help them locate a document they recently opened or created a summary of the work they completed during the day. Moreover, the feature is particularly planned for users who regularly switch between many apps and websites while working.
How Does Computer History Work?
Unlike the company’s previous Chronicle research preview, Computer History does not depend on taking screenshots of the computer screen. Rather, this new feature will use activity information through macOS accessibility capabilities. This may include actions such as typing, keyboard, clicking, shortcuts and switching between applications.
This allows the chatbot to build an understanding of how a user manages the computer without depending upon a continuous series of screenshots. Additionally, users can manually enable Computer History before ChatGPT begins collecting the relevant activity.
The feature also gives users control over what is recorded. They can select the apps and websites that are allowed to contribute to their history. Users can also pause Computer History whenever they want. The feature provides options to review and delete stored activity as well. This means users do not have to give ChatGPT access to their entire computer activity if they do not want to.
Notably, the feature is currently available to ChatGPT Pro, Business and Enterprise users through the Mac desktop app. As per the company, it will be unavailable initially in Switzerland, the European Economic Area and the UK.