Live data from Hacker News

Show HN: Mem0 – open-source Memory Layer for AI apps

github.com

21–30 of 73 posts

Re: Show HN: Mem0 – open-source Memory Layer for AI apps

#21
post #13

Looks interesting but curious to know how is it different from using traditional databases or vector databases? Is that the graph element?

Thanks for your question!

Vector databases are typically used for storing embeddings and are great for tasks like similarity search. However, they are generally read-only and don't natively support the concept of time or state transitions. Let's take an example of tracking state of a tasks from your todo list in a vector database:

You might store the task's states like:

Task 1 in backlog Task 1 in progress Task 1 in canceled

But there's no concept of "latest state" or memory of how the task evolved over time. You'd have to store multiple versions and manually track changes.

With a memory-enabled system like Mem0, you could track: Task 1 (current state: in progress) with a memory of previous states (backlog, canceled, etc). This gives your AI app more stateful understanding of the world, allowing it to update and reflect the current context automatically.

Traditional databases, on the other hand, are designed for structured, relational data with fixed schemas, like customer information in a table. These are great for handling transactional data but aren't optimal for cases where the data is unstructured.

As mentioned in the post, we use a hybrid datastore approach that handles these cases effectively and that's where the graph aspect comes into picture.

Re: Show HN: Mem0 – open-source Memory Layer for AI apps

#22
post #12

How does Mem0 handle the potential for outdated or irrelevant memories over time? Is there a mechanism for "forgetting" or deprioritizing older information that may no longer be applicable?

Mem0 currently handles outdated or irrelevant memories by:

1. Automatically deprioritizing older memories when new, contradictory information is added. 2. Adjusting memory relevance based on changing contexts.

We're working on improving this system to give developers more control. Future plans include:

1. Time-based decay of unused memories 2. Customizable relevance scoring 3. Manual removal options for obsolete information

These improvements aim to create a more flexible "forgetting" mechanism, allowing AI applications to maintain up-to-date and relevant knowledge bases over time.

We're open to user feedback on how to best implement these features in practical applications.

Re: Show HN: Mem0 – open-source Memory Layer for AI apps

#24
Congrats Taranjeet and Deshraj!

So after using Mem0 a bit for a hackathon project, I have sort of two thoughts: 1. Memory is extremely useful and almost a requirement when it comes to building next level agents and Mem0 is probably the best designed/easiest way to get there. 2. I think the interface between structured and unstructured memory still needs some thinking.

What I mean by that is when I look at the memory feature of OpenAI it's obviously completely unstructured, free form text, and that makes sense when it's a general use product.

At the same time, when I'm thinking about more vertical specific use cases up until now, there are very specific things generally that we want to remember about our customers (for example, for advertising, age range, location, etc.) However, as the use of LLMs in chatbots increases, we may want to also remember less structured details.

So the killer app here would be something that can remember and synthesize both structured and unstructured information about the user in a way that's natural for a developer.

I think the graph integration is a step in this direction but still more on the unstructured side for now. Look forward to seeing how it develops.

Re: Show HN: Mem0 – open-source Memory Layer for AI apps

#26

Great product, thanks for releasing it for the opensource community. Have you considered replacing Neo4j with something more cost-effective like Memgraph?

When I worked as a consultant in the knowledge graph area I ran into clients over and over against who had failed with Neo4J, which I'd never done because I read the Neo4J manual and understood it just wasn't an industrial strength tool.

Re: Show HN: Mem0 – open-source Memory Layer for AI apps

#30
post #18

Congrats on the launch! I messed around with the playground onboarding...here's the output: With Memory Mem0.ai I know that you like to collect records from New Orleans artists, and you enjoy running. Relevancy: 9/10 Without Memory I don’t have any personal information about you. I don’t have the ability to know or remember individual users. My main function is to provide information and answer questions to the best…

This is why in my system I have more specific, falsifiable metrics: freshness, confidence, etc. which come together to create a fitness score at the surface-level, while still exposing individual metrics in the API.
Post reply on HN