Epium | London

Epium Blog

Clear-eyed takes on AI and tech. Occasionally harsh, always grounded. Always honest.

Retrieval Augmented Generation - RAG

If you want AI that actually knows your data, use retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)

19 Aug 2025

RAG (retrieval-augmented generation) connects AI models to your actual business data, products, and documents so you get accurate, context-aware answers instead of generic responses. This article explains what RAG is, how it works, and why it’s essential if you need an AI assistant that truly understands your company.
  • customize ai, documentation, faq, rag, retrieval-augmented generation
RAG Explained and problems with them

RAG Decay: Why Your Knowledge Bot Gets Dumber Every Week

14 Aug 2025

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) can make your AI sound like it knows your business inside-out - until it quietly rots. This post explains what RAG really is, why it decays into stale, bloated answers, and the unglamorous maintenance work that keeps it sharp and trustworthy.
  • rag, RAG Maintenance, retrieval-augmented generation, Vector Database

AI in eCommerce: A Revolution or Just Another Overhyped Buzzword?

14 Jul 2025

AI is often seen as the cure-all for ecommerce problems, from customer service to inventory management. But AI is just a tool, not a magic bullet. While it can automate tasks and improve efficiency, it won’t fix a flawed business model or poor strategy. AI is most useful for optimization, like inventory sorting or personalizing customer experiences. Using it just to follow trends or avoid the hard work, like keyword research, is a waste. The real value of AI comes when it solves specific problems, not when it's used for everything. If used correctly, AI can revolutionize parts of your business; otherwise, it’s just another overhyped tool.
  • ai, automation, business, chatbot, data, ecommerce, inventory, keywords, optimization, technology

Hallucination Nation AI

20 Jun 2025

Most people use AI wrong, expecting brilliance from nothing and getting polished nonsense in return. Here’s the hard truth: AI’s great at summaries and rewrites, but leave it alone with a blank page and it’ll invent facts, companies, even your next Nobel Prize. Learn how to make AI useful, or enjoy your trip through hallucination nation.
  • ai, automation, content creation, hallucinations, language models, llms, post-processing, productivity, summarization, text generation

ChatGPT is your drunk startup wingman: Why AI validation is just liquid courage with fewer regrets

11 Jun 2025

ChatGPT is your drunk startup wingman - loud, supportive, and totally unqualified to judge your next big idea. It won’t tell you your “AI-powered platform” is old news or that your brilliant pitch already flopped in the App Store. LLMs complete patterns, not business plans. If you want actual validation, don’t expect it from an algorithm designed to clap for everything. Real research beats AI reassurance every time.
  • ai validation, business ideas, chatgpt, market research, startup advice
Senior Developer vs Vibe Coder.

“Vibe coding”: Why literal AI code fails in production

3 Jun 2025

Vibe coding is sending your teenager to buy milk. You’ll get milk. Only milk. Meanwhile, the fridge is on fire, the dog’s eating a USB stick, and the eggs are fermenting in the sink - but hey, the milk’s in the bag.
  • artificial intelligence, Junior Coder, Senior Experience, vibe coding