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By Michael Brenndoerfer
Dense Passage Retrieval and Retrieval-Augmented Generation: Integrating Knowledge with Language Models
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Dense Passage Retrieval and Retrieval-Augmented Generation: Integrating Knowledge with Language Models

Michael Brenndoerfer•November 2, 2025•15 min read•3,587 words•Interactive
History of Language AIMachine LearningData, Analytics & AILLM and GenAI

A comprehensive guide covering Dense Passage Retrieval (DPR) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), the 2020 innovations that enabled language models to access external knowledge sources. Learn how dense vector retrieval transformed semantic search, how RAG integrated retrieval with generation, and their lasting impact on knowledge-aware AI systems.

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Reference

BIBTEXAcademic
@misc{densepassageretrievalandretrievalaugmentedgenerationintegratingknowledgewithlanguagemodels, author = {Michael Brenndoerfer}, title = {Dense Passage Retrieval and Retrieval-Augmented Generation: Integrating Knowledge with Language Models}, year = {2025}, url = {https://mbrenndoerfer.com/writing/dense-passage-retrieval-retrieval-augmented-generation-rag}, organization = {mbrenndoerfer.com}, note = {Accessed: 2025-11-02} }
APAAcademic
Michael Brenndoerfer (2025). Dense Passage Retrieval and Retrieval-Augmented Generation: Integrating Knowledge with Language Models. Retrieved from https://mbrenndoerfer.com/writing/dense-passage-retrieval-retrieval-augmented-generation-rag
MLAAcademic
Michael Brenndoerfer. "Dense Passage Retrieval and Retrieval-Augmented Generation: Integrating Knowledge with Language Models." 2025. Web. 11/2/2025. <https://mbrenndoerfer.com/writing/dense-passage-retrieval-retrieval-augmented-generation-rag>.
CHICAGOAcademic
Michael Brenndoerfer. "Dense Passage Retrieval and Retrieval-Augmented Generation: Integrating Knowledge with Language Models." Accessed 11/2/2025. https://mbrenndoerfer.com/writing/dense-passage-retrieval-retrieval-augmented-generation-rag.
HARVARDAcademic
Michael Brenndoerfer (2025) 'Dense Passage Retrieval and Retrieval-Augmented Generation: Integrating Knowledge with Language Models'. Available at: https://mbrenndoerfer.com/writing/dense-passage-retrieval-retrieval-augmented-generation-rag (Accessed: 11/2/2025).
SimpleBasic
Michael Brenndoerfer (2025). Dense Passage Retrieval and Retrieval-Augmented Generation: Integrating Knowledge with Language Models. https://mbrenndoerfer.com/writing/dense-passage-retrieval-retrieval-augmented-generation-rag
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https://mbrenndoerfer.com/writing/dense-passage-retrieval-retrieval-augmented-generation-rag
History of Language AI Cover
Part of History of Language AI

This article is part of the free-to-read History of Language AI book

View full handbook
Michael Brenndoerfer

About the author: Michael Brenndoerfer

All opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer.

Michael currently works as an Associate Director of Data Science at EQT Partners in Singapore, where he drives AI and data initiatives across private capital investments.

With over a decade of experience spanning private equity, management consulting, and software engineering, he specializes in building and scaling analytics capabilities from the ground up. He has published research in leading AI conferences and holds expertise in machine learning, natural language processing, and value creation through data.

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