Intermediate · NLP

Retrieval Model

Visual diagram · (in preparation) · Math · (in preparation) · Worked example · 3 difficulty levels.

TL;DR. An AI model that answers queries by finding and presenting existing relevant information from a knowledge base or dataset.

Technical Definition

An AI model that answers queries by finding and presenting existing relevant information from a knowledge base or dataset.

How it works

Unlike generative models that create new text, retrieval models focus on identifying and extracting the most appropriate pre-existing snippets or documents. They are often used in question-answering systems, search engines, and chatbots for delivering factual, sourced information. RAG systems combine these with generative models.

Related Concepts

• Semantic Search — A search technology that understands the intent and contextual meaning of queries, rather than just matching keywords.