Back to Updates
Weekly Update2026-07-01

Why AI Forgets (and What Tokens Have to Do With It)

Plain-English explainer of why AI forgets, truncates, and charges per token.

Ever feel like your AI just… forgot what you were talking about? Like after a long conversation, it suddenly thinks you're discussing quantum physics when you started with your grocery list? We've all been there.

This week, we're diving deep into the under-the-hood mechanics of Large Language Models: Tokens, Context Windows, and their Limits.

What You'll Master:

  • What exactly IS a token? (Hint: It's not just words.)
  • The magic (and mystery) of the context window. Why it matters for coherent conversations.
  • Why models sometimes 'forget' or truncate. It's not a bug, it's a feature (sort of).
  • How token limits impact cost and performance. Understanding the economics of AI.

Think of it like trying to fit an entire library into your backpack. You can only carry so much! Understanding these limits helps you work smarter, not just harder, with your AI tools. Let's demystify the jargon!

tokenscontext windowLLM limitsAI fundamentals