MemLLM: Finetuning LLMs to Use An Explicit Read-Write Memory
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Abstract (arXiv)
While current large language models (LLMs) perform well on many knowledge-related tasks, they are limited by relying on their parameters as an implicit storage mechanism. As a result, they struggle with memorizing rare events and with updating their memory as facts change over time. In addition, the uninterpretable nature of parametric memory makes it challenging to prevent hallucination. Model editing and augmenting LLMs with parameters specialized for memory are only partial solutions. In this paper, we introduce MemLLM, a novel method of enhancing LLMs by integrating a structured and explicit read-and-write memory module. MemLLM tackles the aforementioned challenges by enabling dynamic interaction with the memory and improving the LLM's capabilities in using stored knowledge. Our experiments indicate that MemLLM enhances the LLM's performance and interpretability, in language modeling in general and knowledge-intensive tasks in particular. We see MemLLM as an important step towards making LLMs more grounded and factual through memory augmentation. The project repository is publicly available at https://github.com/amodaresi/MemLLM
Key facts. Cited by 35 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Builds on 58 of its 71 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 17 Apr 2024.
Builds on
58 of 71 references.
References · 58
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50 most cited of 58 All 58 (JSON)
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Citing papers per year: 2024: 5; 2025: 13; 2026: 17.
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- 2026Distilling Feedback into Memory-as-a-Tool9 Jan 2026
- 2026Higher-Order Knowledge Representations for Agentic Scientific Reasoning8 Jan 2026
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- 2025ENGRAM: Effective, Lightweight Memory Orchestration for Conversational Agents17 Nov 2025
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- 2025ArcMemo: Abstract Reasoning Composition with Lifelong LLM Memory4 Sep 2025
- 2025Memory-R1: Enhancing Large Language Model Agents to Manage and Utilize Memories via Reinforcement Learning27 Aug 2025
- 2025Memory-Augmented Transformers: A Systematic Review from Neuroscience Principles to Enhanced Model Architectures14 Aug 2025
- 2025G-Memory: Tracing Hierarchical Memory for Multi-Agent Systems9 Jun 2025
- 2025Memorization and Knowledge Injection in Gated LLMs30 Apr 2025
- 2025The Paradox of Poetic Intent in Back-Translation: Evaluating the Quality of Large Language Models in Chinese Translation22 Apr 2025
- 2025ExLLM: Experience-Enhanced LLM Optimization for Molecular Design and Beyond18 Feb 2025
- 2025Position: Episodic Memory is the Missing Piece for Long-Term LLM Agents10 Feb 2025
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- 2025Large language models for artificial general intelligence (AGI): A survey of foundational principles and approaches6 Jan 2025
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- 2024OrthoDoc: Multimodal Large Language Model for Assisting Diagnosis in Computed Tomography30 Aug 2024
- 2024Problem Solving Through Human-AI Preference-Based Cooperation14 Aug 2024
- 2024Robots Can Multitask Too: Integrating a Memory Architecture and LLMs for Enhanced Cross-Task Robot Action Generation18 Jul 2024
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- 2025Position: Episodic Memory is the Missing Piece for Long-Term LLM Agentscited by 36
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- 2025ENGRAM: Effective, Lightweight Memory Orchestration for Conversational Agentscited by 15
- 2026Memory as a Controlled Process: Learned Adaptive Memory Management for LLM Agentscited by 7
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12 most cited of 13 All 13 (JSON)
- 2026Transferable End-to-End Optimization for Indirect Long-Term Memory Poisoning in LLM Agents1 Sep 2026
- 2026Memory as a Controlled Process: Learned Adaptive Memory Management for LLM Agents15 Jul 2026
- 2026Rosetta Memory: Adaptive Memory for Cross-LLM Agents5 Jun 2026
- 2026AdMem: Advanced Memory for Task-solving Agents5 Jun 2026
- 2026Memory for Autonomous LLM Agents:Mechanisms, Evaluation, and Emerging Frontiers8 Mar 2026
- 2026Graph-based Agent Memory: Taxonomy, Techniques, and Applications5 Feb 2026
- 2026A Survey of Agent Memory in the Second Half: Towards Self-Evolving and Long-Horizon Agents14 Jan 2026
- 2025O-Mem: Omni Memory System for Personalized, Long Horizon, Self-Evolving Agents17 Nov 2025
- 2025ENGRAM: Effective, Lightweight Memory Orchestration for Conversational Agents17 Nov 2025
- 2025CAM: A Constructivist View of Agentic Memory for LLM-Based Reading Comprehension7 Oct 2025
- 2025Memory-R1: Enhancing Large Language Model Agents to Manage and Utilize Memories via Reinforcement Learning27 Aug 2025
- 2025G-Memory: Tracing Hierarchical Memory for Multi-Agent Systems9 Jun 2025
12 newest of 13 All 13 (JSON)
- 2025ArcMemo: Abstract Reasoning Composition with Lifelong LLM Memorycited by 24
- 2024Robots Can Multitask Too: Integrating a Memory Architecture and LLMs for Enhanced Cross-Task Robot Action Generationcited by 5
- 2026Higher-Order Knowledge Representations for Agentic Scientific Reasoningcited by 3
- 2026Distilling Feedback into Memory-as-a-Toolcited by 2
- 2026Distilling Feedback into Memory-as-a-Tool9 Jan 2026
- 2026Higher-Order Knowledge Representations for Agentic Scientific Reasoning8 Jan 2026
- 2025ArcMemo: Abstract Reasoning Composition with Lifelong LLM Memory4 Sep 2025
- 2024Robots Can Multitask Too: Integrating a Memory Architecture and LLMs for Enhanced Cross-Task Robot Action Generation18 Jul 2024
- 2026Selective Forgetting: A Graph-Based Memory Framework for Long-Term LLM Agents29 Aug 2026
- 2026Evaluating Memory Structure in LLM Agents11 Feb 2026
- 2025M+: Extending MemoryLLM with Scalable Long-Term Memorycited by 54
- 2024Logically Consistent Language Models via Neuro-Symbolic Integrationcited by 30
- 2024Problem Solving Through Human-AI Preference-Based Cooperationcited by 11
- 2025Memory-Augmented Transformers: A Systematic Review from Neuroscience Principles to Enhanced Model Architecturescited by 9
- 2025ExLLM: Experience-Enhanced LLM Optimization for Molecular Design and Beyondcited by 8
- 2026AutoMem: Automated Learning of Memory as a Cognitive Skillcited by 5
- 2025Memorization and Knowledge Injection in Gated LLMscited by 3
- 2025The Paradox of Poetic Intent in Back-Translation: Evaluating the Quality of Large Language Models in Chinese Translationcited by 2
- 2026MemX: A Local-First Long-Term Memory System for AI Assistantscited by 0
- 2026LANTERN: Layered Archival and Temporal Episodic Retrieval Network for Long-Context LLM Conversationscited by 0
- 2026Co-LMLM: Continuous-Query Limited Memory Language Modelscited by 0
- 2026Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Systematically Erasing LLM's Memoriescited by 0
- 2026Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Systematically Erasing LLM's Memories29 Sep 2026
- 2026Co-LMLM: Continuous-Query Limited Memory Language Models8 Jul 2026
- 2026AutoMem: Automated Learning of Memory as a Cognitive Skill1 Jul 2026
- 2026LANTERN: Layered Archival and Temporal Episodic Retrieval Network for Long-Context LLM Conversations18 Apr 2026
- 2026MemX: A Local-First Long-Term Memory System for AI Assistants17 Mar 2026
- 2025Memory-Augmented Transformers: A Systematic Review from Neuroscience Principles to Enhanced Model Architectures14 Aug 2025
- 2025Memorization and Knowledge Injection in Gated LLMs30 Apr 2025
- 2025The Paradox of Poetic Intent in Back-Translation: Evaluating the Quality of Large Language Models in Chinese Translation22 Apr 2025
- 2025ExLLM: Experience-Enhanced LLM Optimization for Molecular Design and Beyond18 Feb 2025
- 2025M+: Extending MemoryLLM with Scalable Long-Term Memory1 Feb 2025
- 2024Logically Consistent Language Models via Neuro-Symbolic Integration9 Sep 2024
- 2024Problem Solving Through Human-AI Preference-Based Cooperation14 Aug 2024
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