To think like an AI, you have to understand how it manages context — the flow of meaning that connects one sentence, question, or idea to another. Context allows AIs to “remember” what’s been said, interpret pronouns, infer relevance, and maintain coherence across turns in conversation. Without it, every prompt would feel like a reset button.
What It Means
In AI terms, “context” refers to the text or data the system can access while forming its next response. Context gives the model a frame of reference — the last few user turns, previous facts, or background information relevant to the conversation.
In the humanities, this is similar to reading a poem or speech with its historical background in mind. For example, understanding Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” requires context about the Civil Rights Movement. Likewise, an AI’s interpretation of your question depends on what’s come before.
How AIs Use It
- Token memory: AIs store recent words (“tokens”) to track what’s being discussed — like a short-term memory buffer.
- Reference resolution: When you say “it” or “they,” the AI uses context to identify what those pronouns refer to.
- Implicit meaning: AIs infer unstated details — for instance, recognizing that “the author” in one message still refers to “Toni Morrison” mentioned earlier.
- Cross-disciplinary analogy: In sociology or philosophy, maintaining context is like following an argument through time; the AI does this linguistically rather than conceptually.
Why It Matters
- Understanding continuity: Context allows the AI to respond coherently to multi-part or follow-up questions.
- Reducing ambiguity: Without context, a question like “What about her work?” would make no sense — context anchors meaning.
- Supporting nuanced dialogue: Just as literary critics trace recurring motifs, AIs use context to sustain themes across exchanges.
- Library relevance: Knowing how AIs maintain context helps librarians guide patrons to craft effective multi-step prompts.
💬 Try It Yourself
Test how ChatGPT manages context. Start with a simple topic, then refer back to it indirectly to see if the AI “remembers.”