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RDS colloquium on Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)
The RDS colloquium on Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) by Philip Eschenbacher from MongoDB was very well received and revealed a wealth of opportunities for developing targeted and knowledgeable chatbots for the University of Basel. As a result, a student hackathon will be organized this summer to develop first RAG-based systems.
The recent RDS colloquium on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), presented by Philip Eschenbacher from MongoDB entitled “Insights from One Year of Customer Implementations of RAG-based Chatbot Systems Using MongoDB Vector Search”, was a resounding success. This topic could open up numerous opportunities for the University of Basel in the development of targeted chatbots. The event was attended by researchers, faculty and university administrators, all eager to learn more about the potential of RAG.
Philip Eschenbacher's engaging presentation provided an in-depth look at RAG, a cutting-edge AI technology that integrates retrieval mechanisms with generative models to produce highly relevant and contextually enriched outputs. The keynote addressed how this technology could be leveraged to develop targeted and knowledgeable chatbots.
The colloquium featured interactive elements that allowed attendees to see RAG in action. Live demonstrations showcased the technology's ability to accurate, contextual answers by tapping into rich document collections. This highlighted the potential of practical applications of RAG in academic environments, including academic administration.
The positive reception of the colloquium has set the stage for further exploration of RAG at the University of Basel. In response to the promising potential of this technology, the RDS and the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science plan to organize a student hackathon this summer. The aim of this hackathon is to develop, via student projects, an initial RAG-based system with documents from the university as a feasibility study.
For more details, please consult the colloquium slides.