Dictionary term
Persistent vs Session Memory
Agentic AIIntermediate
The distinction between memory that lasts only within one conversation or run (session) and memory stored across sessions (persistent) so the agent recalls past interactions later.
In plain English
Session memory is what the AI remembers during one conversation; persistent memory is saved somewhere so it can remember you next time too.
Analogy
Like short-term memory that clears when you leave a room, versus a notebook you keep and reread tomorrow.
Why it matters
It decides whether your agent remembers a customer between conversations or starts fresh every time.
In practice
A session agent forgetting a name after the chat ends, versus a persistent one storing it in a database for next time.
Related terms
Sources
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