Metadata-based Data Exploration with Retrieval-Augmented Generation for Large Language Models

Developing the capacity to effectively search for requisite datasets is an urgent requirement to assist data users in identifying relevant datasets considering the very limited available metadata. For this challenge, the utilization of third-party data is emerging as a valuable source for improvement. Our research introduces a new architecture for data exploration which employs a form of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to enhance metadata-based data discovery. The system integrates large language models (LLMs) with external vector databases to identify semantic relationships among diverse types of datasets. The proposed framework offers a new method for evaluating semantic similarity among heterogeneous data sources and for improving data exploration. Our study includes experimental results on four critical tasks: 1) recommending similar datasets, 2) suggesting combinable datasets, 3) estimating tags, and 4) predicting variables. Our results demonstrate that RAG can enhance the selection of relevant datasets, particularly from different categories, when compared to conventional metadata approaches. However, performance varied across tasks and models, which confirms the significance of selecting appropriate techniques based on specific use cases. The findings suggest that this approach holds promise for addressing challenges in data exploration and discovery, although further refinement is necessary for estimation tasks.

Extraction of Constituent Factors of Digestion Efficiency in Information Transfer by Media Composed of Texts and Images

The development and spread of information and communication technologies have increased and diversified information. However, the increase in the volume and the selection of information does not necessarily promote understanding. In addition, conventional evaluations of information transfer have focused only on the arrival of information to the receivers. They need to sufficiently take into account the receivers' understanding of the information after it has been acquired, which is the original purpose of the evaluation. In this study, we propose the concept of "information digestion," which refers to the receivers' correct understanding of the acquired information, its contents, and its purpose. In the experiment, we proposed an evaluation model of information digestibility using hierarchical factor analysis and extracted factors that constitute digestibility by four types of media.

Feature Concepts for Data Federative Innovations

A feature concept, the essence of the data-federative innovation process, is presented as a model of the concept to be acquired from data. A feature concept may be a simple feature, such as a single variable, but is more likely to be a conceptual illustration of the abstract information to be obtained from the data. For example, trees and clusters are feature concepts for decision tree learning and clustering, respectively. Useful feature concepts for satis-fying the requirements of users of data have been elicited so far via creative communication among stakeholders in the market of data. In this short paper, such a creative communication is reviewed, showing a couple of appli-cations, for example, change explanation in markets and earthquakes, and highlight the feature concepts elicited in these cases.

Hierarchical entropy and domain interaction to understand the structure in an image

In this study, we devise a model that introduces two hierarchies into information entropy. The two hierarchies are the size of the region for which entropy is calculated and the size of the component that determines whether the structures in the image are integrated or not. And this model uses two indicators, hierarchical entropy and domain interaction. Both indicators increase or decrease due to the integration or fragmentation of the structure in the image. It aims to help people interpret and explain what the structure in an image looks like from two indicators that change with the size of the region and the component. First, we conduct experiments using images and qualitatively evaluate how the two indicators change. Next, we explain the relationship with the hidden structure of Vermeer's girl with a pearl earring using the change of hierarchical entropy. Finally, we clarify the relationship between the change of domain interaction and the appropriate segment result of the image by an experiment using a questionnaire.

Extracting and Validating Explanatory Word Archipelagoes using Dual Entropy

The logical connectivity of text is represented by the connectivity of words that form archipelagoes. Here, each archipelago is a sequence of islands of the occurrences of a certain word. An island here means the local sequence of sentences where the word is emphasized, and an archipelago of a length comparable to the target text is extracted using the co-variation of entropy A (the window-based entropy) on the distribution of the word's occurrences with the width of each time window. Then, the logical connectivity of text is evaluated on entropy B (the graph-based entropy) computed on the distribution of sentences to connected word-clusters obtained on the co-occurrence of words. The results show the parts of the target text with words forming archipelagoes extracted on entropy A, without learned or prepared knowledge, form an explanatory part of the text that is of smaller entropy B than the parts extracted by the baseline methods.