OpenAI introduced a new function named Chronicle to its Codex coding tool. Chronicle is designed to create memories as users interact with the platform, enabling the AI to better grasp prompts and perform tasks without requiring constant context. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, likened this feature to telepathy, emphasizing its seamless usability.
According to Thibault ‘Tibo’ Sottiaux, Codex’s chief, Chronicle currently consumes a significant amount of tokens, the AI’s unit of measurement. Despite this, Chronicle has the potential to revolutionize how Codex is utilized, as expressed by Sottiaux and many OpenAI staff members.
Chronicle’s primary function is to retain a record of users’ activities on Codex, leveraging the displayed context to create memories that Codex can access for subsequent tasks, eliminating the need for repetitive context requests. This capability allows users to seamlessly resume previous projects by instructing Codex based on existing memories stored in Chronicle.
Notably, OpenAI highlights that users no longer need to construct elaborate prompts to provide context to the AI, as Chronicle empowers Codex to fill in contextual gaps efficiently. By enhancing Codex’s comprehension of user work patterns, this feature aims to streamline workflows and save time.
Regarding privacy concerns, Chronicle generates memories based on screen captures temporarily stored on the device, with the memories also stored locally. Users have the option to review or modify these memories and can pause or disable Chronicle at any time through Codex’s menu bar.
Chronicle is currently accessible as an opt-in research preview for ChatGPT Pro subscribers on macOS, with availability limited to regions outside the EU, UK, and Switzerland. To activate Chronicle, users must enable it in the Memories setting page of the Codex app and grant macOS Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions.