5 RAG Vector Database Traps and How to Avoid Them

Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) is a method used by developers to enhance generative AI systems by connecting them to external knowledge bases, with vector databases serving as the preferred solution for retrieval tasks. This approach involves populating vector databases with relevant documents, executing similarity searches, and using the results to provide context to large language models (LLMs) for more accurate responses. Challenges in this process include selecting appropriate chunk sizes, choosing suitable embedding models, designing effective metadata, and maintaining fresh vector data, which are crucial for optimizing RAG applications and avoiding common pitfalls. Vectorize offers specialized tools and platforms to simplify and improve these processes, enabling developers to build more efficient AI applications by streamlining data integration, testing, and pipeline management within a cloud-native infrastructure.