What is Retrieval-Augmented Generation?
Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is a prompting technique that enhances large language model (LLM) responses by dynamically retrieving relevant information from external knowledge sources before generating a response. Rather than relying solely on the model’s internal knowledge, RAG incorporates up-to-date, specific, and contextually relevant information from external databases, documents, or knowledge bases.Why Use Retrieval-Augmented Generation?
- Factual Accuracy: Access to external knowledge reduces hallucinations and factual errors
- Up-to-Date Information: Retrieves current information beyond the model’s training data
- Domain Specialization: Can access domain-specific knowledge not well-represented in general LLM training
- Knowledge Grounding: Provides citations and sources for statements to increase trustworthiness
- Scalable Knowledge: Can access vast amounts of knowledge without fine-tuning the base model
- Customizable Responses: Tailor responses based on your specific knowledge repositories
Basic Implementation in Latitude
Here’s a simple RAG implementation using Latitude:RAG Basic Example
Advanced Implementation with Multiple Sources
This example shows a more sophisticated RAG implementation that retrieves information from multiple sources and evaluates their relevance:Domain-Specific RAG Implementation
This example shows how to implement RAG for a specific domain (medical information):Best Practices for RAG
To implement retrieval-augmented generation effectively:-
Optimize Search Queries
- Extract key entities and concepts from user questions
- Use query expansion to find related information
- Implement query reformulation techniques
-
Vector Database Setup
- Choose appropriate embedding models for your content
- Implement chunking strategies based on content type
- Use metadata filtering to improve retrieval precision
-
Result Processing
- Rank results by relevance and recency
- Filter out irrelevant or low-quality retrievals
- Rerank results based on semantic similarity
-
Source Integration
- Include source attribution in responses
- Assess source credibility and prioritize reliable sources
- Handle conflicting information from multiple sources
-
Information Synthesis
- Combine information from multiple sources coherently
- Identify and resolve contradictions
- Maintain the context and maintain factual consistency
Integrating RAG with the Latitude SDK
Here’s how to implement RAG using the Latitude SDK with external knowledge sources:Advanced RAG Techniques
Recursive Retrieval
Implement multi-hop retrieval for complex questions:Recursive RAG
Hybrid Retrieval
Combine different retrieval methods for better results:Related Techniques
Retrieval-Augmented Generation works well when combined with other prompting techniques:- Chain-of-Thought with RAG: Combine retrieved information with step-by-step reasoning for complex problem-solving.
- Self-Consistency and RAG: Generate multiple RAG-enhanced responses and select the most consistent one.
- Few-Shot Learning with RAG: Augment few-shot examples with retrieved information to improve performance on specialized tasks.
- Constitutional AI with RAG: Use retrieved guidelines or policies to ensure AI responses comply with specific rules.
- Template-Based Prompting with RAG: Use retrieved information to fill in template slots for more accurate and contextual responses.
Real-World Applications
RAG is particularly valuable in these domains:- Enterprise Knowledge Management: Access to internal documents, policies, and knowledge bases
- Legal Research: Retrieving relevant case law, statutes, and legal opinions
- Medical Information Systems: Accessing up-to-date medical research and clinical guidelines
- Customer Support: Retrieving product information and troubleshooting guides
- Educational Platforms: Providing accurate and source-backed answers to student questions
- Financial Analysis: Accessing market data and financial reports for informed analysis