Glossary · Model mechanics
RAG
Also said as
retrieval-augmented generationretrieval augmented generation
RAG — retrieval-augmented generation — is when an AI tool looks up real documents first and writes its answer from them, instead of answering purely from memory.
Why it matters to your business
It's the mechanism behind answer engines and 'chat with your docs' tools — the lookup is what makes citations possible and cuts invented answers.
The catch · what vendors don't say
Retrieval helps but doesn't fix accuracy — an answer engine can retrieve the wrong source or cite one that doesn't support the claim, and the confident tone stays the same.
