How AI Is Making Lifelong Memory Easy Again
340A few years ago, the idea of lifelogging seemed impossible to many experts. The leading voice in the field once said it couldn’t be done — until AI technology caught up. Now, it’s not just a dream; it’s becoming reality.
Lifelogging is an old concept. The idea of using computers as a kind of extended memory dates back almost 80 years. In 1945, Vannevar Bush, an American engineer, described a device called the Memex. It was a small desk computer using microfilm to store books, notes, and articles. The Memex would let users take pictures of information, store them, and then search through related items using a special keyboard. It was basically a blueprint for the modern internet and search engines. But back then, the biggest hurdles were getting information in and out of these systems.
Over the decades, many inventors tried to make lifelogging happen. In the 1980s, Steve Mann from Canada built wearable computers equipped with sensors and cameras. These devices captured video, audio, and environmental data. Mann’s work was ahead of its time, laying the groundwork for wearable tech and personal data collection. Then, in 2000, Gordon Bell became a major figure in the field. He worked at Microsoft and launched “MyLifeBits,” a project to record just about everything in his life — photos, emails, recordings, even TV and radio. He wore cameras around his neck that took pictures automatically, creating a digital diary of his life.
Bell’s system relied heavily on custom software to organize all that data. When journalists asked him about lifelogging in 2016, he admitted the task had become overwhelming. Smartphones had made data capture easier, but organizing all that info was still a challenge. He believed AI would eventually help sort through the chaos, making lifelogging practical again.
Recently, a breakthrough in AI has changed everything. Large language models (LLMs) and generative AI have made it possible to organize vast amounts of data automatically. That means lifelogging is no longer a pipe dream.
What Makes Today’s Lifelogging Tools Different
One of the most popular apps for capturing and organizing life data is Evernote. Launched in 2008, Evernote grew into a massive productivity tool with over 250 million users by 2019. It helps you jot down notes, clip web pages, and organize information. Over time, it added AI features like smarter searches, automatic summaries, and transcription of audio and video files. You can search for words inside images and even copy quotes directly from your notes, with source links included.
But Evernote has become more than just a lifelogging tool. It’s now a full productivity suite focused on collaboration. You can comment on notes, share with others, and even co-edit documents. Its interface works smoothly across devices, with customizable menus and templates. The AI improvements make finding what you need faster than ever, though it still costs around $13 to $18 per month depending on the plan.
Another option gaining popularity is MyMind. Launched in 2021, this app is more streamlined and easy to use. It works as a desktop app, mobile app, browser extension, and cloud service. It costs about $8 to $13 a month, with a free version offering limited storage. Unlike Evernote, MyMind doesn’t use folders or manual organization. Instead, it automatically recognizes content types — like songs, recipes, or photos — and formats them accordingly. It also auto-tags everything, making it easy to find later by searching just a word or two.
The key feature of MyMind is its simplicity. You can capture ideas, images, or snippets by clicking a button or sharing directly from other apps. All data is stored as “cards,” which are easy to browse and search. Want to find the parking garage photo you took earlier? Just start typing “parking,” and it appears instantly. The app also offers a “Focus” mode, which clears the screen to highlight the content you’re looking for. It’s private, with end-to-end encryption and no data tracking.
While MyMind isn’t perfect — it could benefit from voice input — it’s arguably the most effective lifelogging tool available today. It makes capturing and retrieving information simple, quick, and private.
Hardware and the Future of Lifelogging
Software isn’t the whole story. Hardware devices are also advancing quickly. One exciting example is the Halo glasses from a startup called Brilliant Labs. Priced at $299, these lightweight glasses will ship soon and feature a range of sensors, including a camera, microphone, and bone conduction speakers.
The glasses include an “agentic memory” system called Narrative. It automatically captures data from the camera and microphones, then stores it in a personal knowledge base. An AI assistant, named Noa or Noa Plus, provides a natural-language interface. This means users can ask questions or get summaries of their data just by talking to their glasses. They can even “vibe code” apps — a way to interact with different functions using subtle gestures or signals.
This combination of AI-powered hardware and software points to a future where lifelogging is seamless and automatic. Gordon Bell predicted that AI would revolutionize how we remember and organize our lives. Thanks to recent advances in generative AI, that vision is now within reach. We can finally remember almost everything, effortlessly.
As AI continues to improve, lifelogging tools will get smarter, faster, and more intuitive. The dream of a personal, prosthetic memory is no longer just a fantasy but an emerging reality. With these tools, we can better understand ourselves, keep track of our lives, and perhaps even improve how we learn and grow.
What do you think?
It is nice to know your opinion. Leave a comment.