Blog

Optimizing Retrieval-Augmented Generation with Knowledge Graphs

Written by Dr. Jagreet Kaur Gill | 19 December 2024

Due to the growth of LLM, there has been a growing need to extend them for many use cases. Probably the most promising of all in this domain is Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG): an approach that combines the creativity of LLMs with pragmatic real-world information retrieval. On top of that, it combines knowledge graphs into the RAG for a more precise and thermostatically consistent output while also linking the generated output to the rest of the information, further enriching the results provided by these models.

Especially, this integration enables LLMs to handle large-scale data better and apply them in various fields such as medicine, finance and law studies. Continuing the discussion of RAG and using it for the integration of Knowledge Graphs we will discuss the current implementation approaches utilized in the systems, the added value for the enhancements of accuracy and contextual semantics that Knowledge Graph integration offers, and pertinent trends that are expected to define the development of this technology in the future. 

Background: Overview of Core Concepts


What is RAG? 

The Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is an approach that creates a means for improving the output generated by the LLM by retrieving relevant information from an external source. RAG systems search for information chunks with techniques such as vector similarity and VMs (Vector Models) and use this data for their responses. This approach is especially the most appropriate when querying for special or personal databases. 

What is Knowledge Graph? 

A knowledge graph, also known as a semantic network, represents a network of real-world entities—such as objects, events, situations or concepts—and illustrates the relationship between them. This information is usually stored in a graph database and visualized as a graph structure, prompting the term knowledge “graph.” 

Why Integrate Knowledge Graphs? 

Indeed, the concept of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) with a large language model has shown significant strength and weak point in the synthesis and understanding of data that consists of intricate pieces of information that do not correlate with each other, or related but generalized global threads present within the data. This limitation makes it difficult to offer certain and rich responses especially where more context is required, it struggles with complex tasks like multi-hop reasoning or answering questions that require connecting disparate pieces of information. 

Key Points 

  • Challenges of Traditional RAG: Traditional RAG system doesn’t have much broader perspective to map diverse information with each other. 

  • Role of Knowledge Graphs: Knowledge graphs give insight into how the data is related and connected with each other, owing to the fact that it represents data in the form of entities and relationships only. 

  • Enhanced Connectivity: The combination of knowledge graphs helps RAG systems to connect information fragments more logically, which results in the output coherence. 

  • Deeper Semantic Understanding: By utilizing the relational structure of knowledge graphs, RAG can have a better understanding of context and expression within the data. 

  • Improved Performance: The combination of RAG and knowledge graphs enhances the system's ability to handle complex queries, resulting in more accurate and insightful responses. 

Implementation: Retrieval-Augmented Generation with Knowledge Graph-Integration

The integration of knowledge graphs into RAG involves several key steps: 

  1. Indexing: The documents that user provide are divided into distinct TextUnits, which are easier to analyze. 

  2. Graph Extraction: From these TextUnits, entities, relations, and assertions are generated to establish a basic graph framework. 

  3. Graph Augmentation: More information is added into the graph to enrich the representation of the available data, including employments of community detection. 

  4. Summarization: Specific summary reports are provided on each community to include relevant findings. 

  5. Network Visualization: The relationships and entities are represented here which makes their interpretation easier. 

Architecture Diagrams and Explanations of Retrieval-Augmented Generation

Fig1: High level Architecture Diagram of RAG with Knowledge Graph Integration

 

Phase 1: Compose TextUnits 

1.1 Objective: It is necessary to split the input documents into small rather than large parts called TextUnits, which will be then vital for further steps – graph extraction.  

1.2 Process: Documents are partitioned into TextUnits, which is normally of 300 tokens; however, configurations can go up to 1200 tokens for optimality.  

1.3 Configurations: Users have the option to set size of such chunks and how TextUnits are partitioned – conventionally to DocumentPart or more freely if the document is not very long. 

Phase 2: Graph Extraction 

2.1 Objective: This approach prompts analysis of the TextUnits and extraction of simple graph structures known as Entities, Relations, and Claims.  

2.2 Process: Entities and relationships are jointly detected and then claims are extracted at one go. Finally, the data generates subgraphs that are amalgamated in accord with consistency in characteristics to reduce repetitiveness. 

Phase 3: Graph Augmentation 

3.1 Objective: Enrich the graph with additional information to reveal community structures and enhance overall understanding. 

3.2 Techniques: This phase employs the Hierarchical Leiden Algorithm for community detection and Node2Vec for graph embedding, leading to the creation of comprehensive graph tables. 

Phase 4: Community Summarization 

4.1 Objective: Write summaries for each of the communities found out in the graph in order to provide insights at varying level of abstraction.  

4.2 Process: Embeddings are used to extend the summaries derived from the key data in creating the reports of the communities found within the dataset. 

Phase 5: Document Processing 

5.1 Objective: Suggest and improve the Details table in the framework of the knowledge model.  

5.2 Process: Documents are connected to TextUnits and instantiated for relationships and relevance to provide a log-linear method of network organization in orientation for later phases. 

Phase 6: Network Visualization 

6.1 Objective: Generate a representation of the network according by adopting the framework of high dimensional vector space of Entity-Relationship and Document graphs.  

6.2 Technique: To represent the graph and understand the relationships between objects intuitively, UMAP dimensionality reduction is applied to convert the graph into two-dimensional. 


Key Benefits of 
Retrieval-Augmented Generation with Knowledge Graph-Integration

Integrating knowledge graphs with RAG provides numerous advantages: 

  • Enhanced Connectivity: Knowledge graphs outcompete other systems in terms of connection between different pieces of information which in return leads to more meaningful and logical answers. Such integration enables the model to make relationships that could be easily missed.  

  • Improved Semantic Understanding: Because the structured representation of data provides understanding of the big picture instead of focusing on specific objects and events. In this regard, the model is able to understand higher-order relations that exist in the data set comprehensively.  

  • Increased Accuracy: In this way it is evident that including a LLM from a wider context can generate more accurate and thereby more context-sensitive results. This results in responses that not only meet the increased accuracy of the task but also fulfill the goal of representing user intent better.  

  • Scalability: The KG of QueryWell can extend with the help of new data appending leading to the constant enhancement of the system. It also helps to maintain the effectiveness of the system as the amount of data increases by making it much easier to adapt to new levels of data flow.

     
Case Studies of RAG with Knowledge Graph Integration

Knowledge graph-integrated RAG can be applied across various domains: 

  • Healthcare: Diagnosing clients by evaluating their records, prior studies and other related literature, and research outcomes. It allows prescription of integrated care and an understanding of a patient’s medical history when reaching a diagnosis.  

  • Finance: Combining financial statements, businessmen practices, and economic indices to improve decisions making. This is useful in helping the analysts define the trends that characterise investments and risks in the marketplace.  

  • Legal: Essaying the principles of law and joining legal authorities to support in legal analysis and advocacy. In other words, through limiting or simplifying the amount of information received, legal professionals can enhance the arguments they make. This fosters a more tailored educational approach, addressing individual student needs and enhancing learning outcomes. 

  • Marketing: Integrating customer data, market research, and campaign performance metrics to optimize marketing strategies. This enables marketers to refine their approaches based on comprehensive insights, leading to more effective outreach and engagement. 


Integration with Akira AI

  1. Component Development: Enhancing RAG with Specialized Agents : Akira AI’s modular approach to AI systems enables it to integrate seamlessly with Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) workflows. The specialized AI agents, such as ConversationalAgents and DocumentProcessors, are key components in optimizing the accuracy and efficiency of RAG processes.

    ConversationalAgents facilitate natural and context-aware interactions, while DocumentProcessors enhance the retrieval process by analyzing and extracting precise, relevant information from documents. 

  2. Modular Workflows for Knowledge Graph Integration: The integration allows Akira AI to create modular workflows tailored for knowledge graph augmentation in RAG systems. These workflows enable the extraction of knowledge from structured and unstructured data sources, followed by the augmentation of retrieval tasks with graph-based relationships.
    Each agent performs its designated function while collaborating seamlessly through the Semantic Kernel, ensuring that knowledge graphs enhance retrieval accuracy.
     

  3. Cross-Agent Collaboration for Knowledge Graph Insights: With the integration of RAG, Akira AI agents can communicate to provide richer and more accurate responses. For instance, when a ConversationalAgent encounters a query requiring deeper contextual understanding, it can request relevant insights from the DocumentProcessor, which utilizes the knowledge graph to refine its results.
    This cross-agent communication ensures that users receive highly contextual and precise information, leveraging the full potential of knowledge graphs.

     

Challenges and Limitations of Retrieval-Augmented Generation

Despite its advantages, integrating knowledge graphs with RAG comes with challenges: 

  • Complexity: The actual construction and management of knowledge graphs can be a very time-consuming and resource expensive exercise. That is a situation which may result to increased cost in terms of time and in terms of the specialized personnel required to manage the change.  

  • Data Quality: The smooth implementation of this approach depends mainly on the suitability of data fed into the system. Low quality of data results in imprecise information making the entire system unreliable.  

  • Scalability: One issue with more data is being able to keep the graph clear and informative. This of course requires constant fine tuning and modifications in order to avoid a decline in efficiency and preservation of ease of use. 

Future Trends of Retrieval-Augmented Generation

As AI technology continues to evolve, the integration of knowledge graphs with RAG is likely to expand. Future trends may include: 

  • Real-time Updates: How to suburbanize real time information feeds in order to keep the knowledge graph fresh as well as informed. This capability enables the system to learn swiftly new ideas to become a nominal response to evolving settings.  

  • AI-Driven Graph Construction: Employing the latest methods in natural language processing and data extraction in order to transform data into knowledge graphs. This automation helps in eliminating human effort drastically and becomes the boon for knowledge graph creation.  

  • Cross-Domain Applications: Proposing the extension of knowledge graph-integrated RAG to different fields for the purpose of increasing its utility and significance. It enables organisations across sectors to benefit from better coordinated success factors to enhance their decisions.  

  • Enhanced User Interaction: Enhancing the Natural Language Processing of the interface and the arrows with the help of visualization tools. This makes users more engrossed and allow for path analysis which can enable them discover more relationships within the generated data. 

Conclusion: Retrieval-Augmented Generation

The concept of incorporating knowledge graphs into Retrieval-Augmented Generation, makes a step change in artificial intelligence development. With the help of more connections and improving the semantic features, the integration makes it better and more accurate for LLMs use in practical issues. Thus, further investigation of such synergy demonstrates the prospects for developing even more intelligent systems oriented towards context computing and the subsequent creation of unique breakthrough solutions in different fields of human activity.