CHAPTER 01 · From Naive RAG to Agentic RAG: The Evolution · 4 / 4
Key takeaways
- RAG retrieves external information at query time and feeds it to the model, keeping answers current and grounded; its three parts are retrieval, augmentation, and generation.
- RAG evolved through five stages: Naive (keyword lookup), Advanced (semantic and re-ranking), Modular (swappable components and hybrid retrieval), Graph (relationship reasoning), and Agentic (autonomous agents controlling retrieval).
- Traditional RAG struggles with contextual integration, multi-step reasoning, and scalability or latency.
- Agentic RAG's shift is making retrieval an active, reasoned decision rather than a fixed step.