Continual Knowledge Updating in LLM Systems: Learning Through Multi-Timescale Memory Dynamics
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Abstract (arXiv)
LLMs are trained once, then deployed into a world that never stops changing. External memory compensates for this, but most systems manage it explicitly rather than letting it adapt on its own. Biological memory works differently: coupled multi-timescale dynamics make new associations immediately usable, strengthen what repetition confirms, and let the rest fade. We argue that external memory should follow a similar principle. In Memini, this view takes the form of an associative memory that organizes knowledge as a directed graph. Each edge carries two coupled internal variables, one fast and one slow, following the Benna-Fusi model of synaptic consolidation. From this coupling, episodic sensitivity, gradual consolidation, and selective forgetting are expected to emerge as facets of a single mechanism, reframing external memory as a learning substrate that reorganizes through its own dynamics. This workshop article describes an early-stage conceptual design without experimental evaluation.
Key facts. Cited by 1 paper in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Builds on 19 of its 35 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 6 May 2026.
Builds on
19 of 35 references.
References · 19
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7 more
- 2024Continual Learning for Large Language Models: A Surveycited by 144
- 2025Nested Learning: The Illusion of Deep Learning Architecturescited by 69
- 2018Continual Reinforcement Learning with Complex Synapsescited by 30
- 2026SYNAPSE: Empowering LLM Agents with Episodic-Semantic Memory via Spreading Activationcited by 11
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- 2024Theories of synaptic memory consolidation and intelligent plasticity for continual learningcited by 3
- 2025Leveraging Spreading Activation for Improved Document Retrieval in Knowledge-Graph-Based RAG Systemscited by 1
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Citing papers per year: 2026: 1.
1 paper.