From Context to Memory: Your Agents Need a Real Memory Layer — Anders Swanson, Oracle

This talk contributes to the field of agent memory and harness engineering by arguing that current approaches like context windows and scratchpads are insufficient for true agent memory. It proposes a systems-level solution centered around a dedicated memory layer, emphasizing typed memories (episodic, semantic, procedural, working state) and a multi-model database schema that supports hybrid search (vectors, text indexes, graph links, time, audit history). The talk details the memory lifecycle: formation (with pre-write redaction), recall (using hybrid search), evolution, and evaluation, all governed by specific policies. It also identifies key failure modes such as stale, poisoned, and conflicting memories, and stresses the importance of feedback loops for continuous improvement and reliability.