ChatGPT Computer History Brings Computer Memory to Mac

OpenAI has introduced a new feature called ChatGPT Computer History for its macOS application. This tool allows the artificial intelligence to monitor user activities on the computer and subsequently search through them using standard text queries.

How ChatGPT Computer History Works

Unlike similar solutions, this feature is entirely optional. For Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscribers, it is disabled by default. Data is stored locally on the Mac, but it is sent to OpenAI cloud servers to be converted into memory. These memories are then stored back on the user's device.

OpenAI states that it does not retain data on its servers unless required by law and does not use it to train its models.

Security Risks and Privacy

Despite being optional, ChatGPT Computer History carries certain risks. OpenAI documentation admits that information is not encrypted and may be accessible to other applications running in macOS. There is also the threat of so-called prompt injection attacks. The AI could be deceived by hidden text on a visited website, which could lead to undesirable system behavior.

Comparison with the Recall Feature in Windows 11

The new feature draws comparisons to the Recall tool for Windows 11. Recall was criticized upon announcement primarily because it was mandatory and took screenshots. ChatGPT attempts to avoid these mistakes by not working with screenshots and requiring user confirmation for activation.