RAG vs. Fine-Tuning: Which Strategy is Best for Customizing LLMs?
Blog post from RunPod
Large Language Models (LLMs) have transformed interactions with technology, but they face challenges with domain-specific prompts and fresh information. To address this, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and fine-tuning are two methods that enhance LLM adaptability. RAG operates by retrieving external data during inference, akin to an open-book test, while fine-tuning involves retraining a model on a specialized dataset, embedding specific knowledge directly. A recent approach, RAFT (Retrieval-Augmented Fine-Tuning), merges these methods, integrating retrieval and generative processes to improve accuracy and adaptability in domain-specific tasks. RAG is ideal for current information needs, fine-tuning excels in specialized applications, and RAFT offers a comprehensive solution by combining the strengths of both.
| Trend | Post Mentions | Total Month Mentions | Posts | Companies | MoM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI Model Fine-tuning | 48 | 1,029 | 157 | 78 | +15% |
| RAG | 48 | 1,801 | 200 | 85 | +50% |
| LLM | 12 | 4,537 | 421 | 147 | +51% |
| Reinforcement learning | 3 | 80 | 28 | 18 | +21% |
| Vector Search | 1 | 1,704 | 240 | 102 | -4% |
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