In AI, context is the set of relevant information that enables an
AI system to understand and respond appropriately in each situation. It’s like a dynamic knowledge base that helps a system maintain coherent conversations and perform precise tasks.
Context in AI includes multiple layers of information: the
prompt or initial instructions, the ongoing conversation, the history of previous messages, the task’s objective, and the established communication style.
AI systems use context to clarify meanings and provide accurate responses. For example, the phrase “send it” only makes sense if the system remembers what was previously discussed. Or the word “bank” has a different meaning when discussing finances versus a park.
Modern
AI systems have a "context window" that determines how much information they can remember and process simultaneously. This capacity has evolved from a few paragraphs to entire documents, enabling more natural and complex conversations.