Back to AI & Retrieval notes

Learning roadmap

Retrieval

Choose a goal, then follow each stage as an ordered, explained outline.

Learning goal

Learn deeply

Build a durable mental model, then transfer it into a working application.

Foundation

Stage purpose: Establish the vocabulary and first working mental model.

Required background: Complete the linked prerequisites below or bring equivalent experience.

Expected outcome: Explain the core idea and use it in a small example.

Estimated time: 30 minutes

  1. Lesson · Estimated time: 30 minutes

    Hybrid Search — BM25 + FAISS + RRF

    Outcomes
    • Explain the core idea in Hybrid Search — BM25 + FAISS + RRF
    • Apply Hybrid Search — BM25 + FAISS + RRF in a representative exercise

    Prerequisites: No prerequisite topics

    Evidence: Practise the outcome in code and record what you learned.

    Current status: Not started

    Recommended next: Structured Data Orchestration — Text to SQL — Carry the Hybrid Search — BM25 + FAISS + RRF mental model into the next step with a concrete transfer exercise.

Core concepts

Stage purpose: Connect the concepts into a repeatable problem-solving model.

Required background: Complete the linked prerequisites below or bring equivalent experience.

Expected outcome: Apply the model to a representative exercise without copying a recipe.

Estimated time: 30 minutes

  1. Lesson · Estimated time: 30 minutes

    Structured Data Orchestration — Text to SQL

    Outcomes
    • Explain the core idea in Structured Data Orchestration — Text to SQL
    • Apply Structured Data Orchestration — Text to SQL in a representative exercise

    Prerequisites: Hybrid Search — BM25 + FAISS + RRF

    Evidence: Practise the outcome in code and record what you learned.

    Current status: Not started

    Recommended next: Multi-Source Retrieval — AlphaFund System Design — Carry the Structured Data Orchestration — Text to SQL mental model into the next step with a concrete transfer exercise.

Applied transfer

Stage purpose: Transfer the concepts into a realistic implementation task.

Required background: Complete the linked prerequisites below or bring equivalent experience.

Expected outcome: Produce a small artifact that proves the decision works.

Estimated time: 30 minutes

  1. Lesson · Estimated time: 30 minutes

    Multi-Source Retrieval — AlphaFund System Design

    Outcomes
    • Explain the core idea in Multi-Source Retrieval — AlphaFund System Design
    • Apply Multi-Source Retrieval — AlphaFund System Design in a representative exercise

    Prerequisites: Structured Data Orchestration — Text to SQL

    Evidence: Practise the outcome in code and record what you learned.

    Current status: Not started

    Recommended next: Complete this path by applying these outcomes in your own project.