Vector database 101: What is it, and how does it work?

Vector databases are a type of NoSQL database that stores and indexes data as vectors, numerical representations of various data types. They enhance AI ecosystems by efficiently managing complex data for generative AI applications, offering benefits such as scalability, speed, and accuracy in similarity searches. Vector databases use indexing and metadata to perform vector similarity search, machine learning models to create embedding vectors, and distance metrics to measure similarity. They have practical applications in personalized recommendation systems, real-time analytics, chatbots, and other use cases where AI and machine learning are involved. When choosing a vector database, businesses should consider factors such as performance, scalability, efficiency, developer-friendliness, and security. Aerospike Vector Search is a powerful solution that optimizes for AI, performance at scale, low total cost of ownership, developer-friendliness, and robust security.