Reader (RAG)

Reader (RAG) is the generation component of a Retrieval-Augmented Generation system that synthesizes relevant retrieved documents into coherent, contextually appropriate responses. The Reader receives retrieved passages from the retrieval component and uses a large language model to generate answers by combining the retrieved information with the original query. This component performs critical functions including relevance assessment, information synthesis, fact verification, and response formatting. The Reader must effectively filter retrieved content, resolve potential contradictions between sources, and generate responses that accurately reflect the retrieved information while maintaining fluency and coherence. Modern RAG Readers employ techniques like attention mechanisms to focus on relevant passages, citation generation for source attribution, and hallucination detection to ensure factual accuracy. The Reader’s performance directly impacts the quality and reliability of RAG system outputs, making it essential for applications requiring accurate, source-grounded information generation.