The traditional approach of training large language models (LLMs) is often limited by a number of challenges, including the tendency for models to "hallucinate" incorrect information, a high cost of training that leads to data obsolescence, and a lack of clear attribution for generated responses. This project was a personal initiative to explore how a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture could address these limitations by combining a model's generative capabilities with a vast, searchable corpus of information.
This project focused on the end-to-end engineering of a complete RAG system. My key contributions and the development workflow included:
Architecture & Design: I conducted extensive research to identify the most effective open-source components for the system. I selected the open-source Llama2-7b model for the generation component.
Data Pipeline: I created a dataset of articles on a recent real-world topic to serve as the external knowledge base. I then used an open-source embedder (UAE-Large-V1) to convert these documents into vector embeddings.
Vector Database: I chose and implemented an open-source vector database (FAISS) to efficiently store and search the document embeddings.
Implementation: I integrated all the components, connecting the embedding database with an efficient retriever. This process ensured that the LLM could access and use the verified external information to formulate its responses.
Evaluation: I evaluated the model using a custom evaluation set of questions. The final system achieved a 4% improvement in performance compared to Llama2-7b without RAG.
This project reinforced my understanding of hybrid AI systems and expanded my skills in software development and data analysis. By focusing on an applied, end-to-end system, I gained valuable experience in reducing the known issues of LLMs and creating a more transparent, robust, and factually accurate conversational agent.
Question: "What is the current living situation in Gaza? " (Answers are from May 2024)
The living situation in Gaza is complex and challenging due to various factors, including political, economic, and social issues. Gaza is a densely populated area with limited resources and infrastructure, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts and blockades.
The economy in Gaza faces significant challenges, with high unemployment rates and widespread poverty. Access to basic necessities such as clean water, electricity, and healthcare can be limited, and the infrastructure has been heavily damaged by conflicts.
The political situation, including the Israeli blockade and restrictions on the movement of goods and people, adds further strain to daily life in Gaza. This blockade has been in place for years and severely restricts the flow of goods and people in and out of Gaza, contributing to economic hardship and humanitarian concerns.
Additionally, the region has experienced periodic escalations of violence, further disrupting daily life and causing widespread suffering among the civilian population. The lack of a long-term resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict contributes to ongoing instability and hardship in Gaza.
Humanitarian organizations work to provide aid and assistance to the people of Gaza, but the situation remains challenging and in need of sustained international attention and support.
The living situation in Gaza is dire and has been deteriorating due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The strip is home to over 2 million people, and the majority of them are refugees or descendants of refugees who fled or were driven from their homes during the 1948 war that accompanied Israel's creation, known to Palestinians as the "Nakba" or catastrophe.
Since the latest conflict began in October, the situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire. The Israeli military has launched a ground offensive in addition to its air and sea assaults, leading to widespread destruction and a large number of civilian casualties. The United Nations has reported that over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, including thousands of children, women, and other non-combatants.
The displacement of Palestinians in Gaza has been severe, with many families losing their homes and belongings. According to the United Nations, over 90% of Gaza's population has been affected by the conflict, and over 100,000 people have been displaced from their homes. Many of these displaced people are seeking shelter in schools, mosques, and other public buildings, while others have been forced to live in makeshift camps.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is also dire, with shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The United Nations has warned of a looming "humanitarian disaster" in Gaza, with over 80% of the population in need of some form of assistance. The conflict has also had a significant impact on Gaza's economy, with many businesses and industries destroyed or damaged, leading to widespread unemployment and poverty.
Overall, the living situation in Gaza is characterized by extreme poverty, displacement, and instability, with many Palestinians facing a dire and uncertain future. The situation has been described as a "catastrophe" by many, and there are concerns about the long-term effects of the conflict on the health, education, and economic well-being of the population.
Sources:
[https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/palestinians-gaza-say-israeli-bombardment-feels-like-new-nakba-2023-10-10/]
[https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gazas-main-hospital-becomes-teeming-camp-displaced-people-2023-11-07/]
[https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/palestinians-fleeing-fighting-south-find-no-escape-danger-2023-10-15/]
[https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-ground-invasion-looms-gaza-residents-gird-battle-2023-10-27/]
[https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/keys-lost-homes-gaza-become-latest-symbols-palestinian-displacement-2024-02-29/]