In this talk, we’ll explore the emergent landscape of vector search in databases, a paradigm shift in information retrieval. Vector search, traditionally the domain of specialized systems, is now being integrated into mainstream databases and search engines like Lucene, Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, and Manticore. This integration marks a significant evolution in handling complex data structures and search queries.
Definition and significance of vectors and embeddings.
The historical context of vector search and its integration into databases.
Strategies for embedding computation: In-database processing vs. external tools.
Current capabilities of databases like MySQL (referring to PlanetScale’s initiative), PostgreSQL, etc., in embedding computation.
The role of indexing in optimizing vector search.
Different indexing strategies and their impact on performance and accuracy.
Beyond speed: Assessing the effectiveness of vector search.
Metrics for evaluating the quality of search results.
Conclusion
The session will conclude with insights into future trends and the potential impact of vector search technologies on data retrieval, AI applications, and beyond.