The dangerous myth: building RAG yourself
Artificial intelligence is revolutionising the business world. Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) is at the centre of this development, as it enables companies to use their own data with the power of large language models. However, a dangerous trend is emerging: many IT departments are trying to develop their own RAG systems.
It may seem tempting. Take a vector database, a large language model, a few open-source tools, maybe Langchain — and you’re done, right? Unfortunately not. The reality is quite different. Behind the seemingly simple formula lies a complex landscape full of challenges.
The hidden cost traps
The initial euphoria quickly evaporates when the first problems arise: inaccurate answers, security vulnerabilities, maintenance costs that spiral out of control. Suddenly, you need a whole team of specialists to keep the system running: ML engineers, DevOps, security experts, quality control. Costs skyrocket.
And while your IT department is struggling with the self-built RAG, your competitors are already using ready-made solutions to achieve measurable success. Why? Because these solutions are based on the experience of many customers and the development costs are spread across many shoulders.
The security risk
A homemade RAG system is a potential security risk. Confidential data could be leaked, internal documents accidentally disclosed. The threat landscape is constantly changing, and it is extremely difficult to keep pace with the latest security standards. Every new data set, every request is a potential point of attack.
The maintenance nightmare
Maintaining a RAG system can be a never-ending task. Constant updates, troubleshooting, performance optimisation — the list is endless. And while your IT department is busy with maintenance, the actual work is left undone.
The expertise gap
RAG and building the AI tech stack is more than just connecting a few services. It requires a deep understanding of the AI process, prompt engineering, security architecture and much more. It is unrealistic to expect every IT department to have all these skills.
The time trap
While you are laboriously developing your RAG system, valuable time is passing. The market continues to develop, your competitors are gaining ground, and you are missing opportunities.
The alternative: buy instead of build
In most cases, it makes much more sense to use an established RAG solution. Platforms like 506.ai offer you a secure, scalable and ready-to-use solution that saves you all the effort. You benefit from the expertise of experienced specialists, regular updates and professional support.
Focus on your core business
Leave the development of RAG systems to the experts. Focus your resources on your core competencies and create real added value for your customers.
506.ai CompanyGPT: The solution
With 506.ai CompanyGPT, we provide you with a secure, easy-to-integrate and powerful AI platform for automating communication workflows. CompanyGPT allows you to reap the benefits of RAG without the associated risks and costs. Focus on your core business while we take care of the AI.