Vector Database and Data Management for AI and ML

Vector databases are specialized databases designed to efficiently store, search, and retrieve high-dimensional vectors. They are particularly useful in applications where data points need to be compared based on similarity or proximity, such as machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI).

This course aims to help students learn to design, implement, and manage vector databases for AI and ML applications, as well as perform efficient similarity search and high-dimensional data processing. The course uses Python, and will include training in Python programming as part of the syllabus for students who have less experience with the language.
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Common uses of vector databases:
1.  Recommendation systems: Vector databases can be used to find similar items or users based on their feature vectors, enabling personalized recommendations.
2.  Image search and computer vision: High-dimensional feature vectors can represent images, allowing vector databases to perform similarity search for image retrieval or object recognition tasks.
3.  Natural language processing (NLP): Word embeddings and document vectors can be stored in a vector database for tasks like text similarity search, semantic analysis, and machine translation.
4.  Anomaly detection: Vector databases can identify unusual data points or outliers by comparing their feature vectors to the rest of the data.
5.  Clustering and classification: Vector databases can be used to perform clustering and classification tasks in unsupervised and supervised ML scenarios.



Course Structure:
Learning Python (40 hours):
Week 1: Introduction to Python Programming (10 hours)
·    Python data types, variables, and operators (3 hours)
·    Control structures: conditionals, loops, and exception handling (4 hours)
·    Functions, modules, and libraries (3 hours)
Week 2: Object-Oriented Programming in Python (10 hours)
·    Classes, objects, and inheritance (4 hours)
·    Encapsulation, polymorphism, and abstraction (4 hours)
·    Design patterns and best practices (2 hours)
Week 3: Python Libraries for Data Manipulation and Visualization (10 hours)
·    NumPy for numerical computing (3 hours)
·    Pandas for data manipulation (4 hours)
·    Matplotlib for data visualization (3 hours)
Week 4: Linear Algebra Concepts and Implementation in Python (10 hours)
·    Vectors, matrices, and operations (4 hours)
·    Linear transformations and eigenvalues/eigenvectors (3 hours)
·    Introduction to optimization (3 hours)

Vector Database and Data Management (160 hours):
Week 1: Introduction to Vector Databases and High-Dimensional Data (10 hours)
·    Understanding vector databases and their role in AI and ML (3 hours)
·    High-dimensional data representation and challenges (4 hours)
·    Introduction to distance metrics and similarity search (3 hours)
Week 2: Indexing Techniques and Distance Metrics (10 hours)
·    Overview of indexing techniques for vector databases (4 hours)
·    k-d trees, ball trees, HNSW graphs, and LSH (4 hours)
·    Distance metrics: Euclidean distance, cosine similarity, and Manhattan distance (2 hours)
Week 3-4: Hands-on Exercises with Indexing Techniques and Distance Metrics (20 hours)
Week 5:
·    Introduction to Pinecone, Faiss, Annoy, and Elasticsearch with vector extensions (4 hours)
·    Hands-on exercises with each tool (4 hours)
·    Integration with TensorFlow and PyTorch for ML applications (2 hours)
Week 6-7: Case Studies and Practical Exercises with Vector Database Tools (20 hours)
Week 8: Scalability and Advanced Topics (10 hours)
·    Data partitioning, load balancing, and distributed indexing (3 hours)
·    Query processing and optimization techniques (4 hours)
·    Data storage and management strategies (2 hours)
·    Security, privacy, and monitoring in vector databases (1 hour)
Week 9-10: Real-World Use Cases and Applications (20 hours)
·    Image search and computer vision (5 hours)
·    Natural language processing and text similarity (5 hours)
·    Recommendation systems (5 hours)
·    Anomaly detection and clustering (5 hours)
Week 11-14: Final Project - Proposal, Design, and Implementation (40 hours)
Week 15: Presentation and Evaluation of Final Projects (10 hours)
Week 16: Course Review and Additional Resources for Continued Learning (10 hours)
Week 17: Advanced Distance Metrics and Evaluation Techniques (10 hours)
·    Minkowski distance, Jaccard similarity, and other distance metrics (4 hours)
·    Techniques for evaluating similarity search quality (3 hours)
·    Benchmarking and performance analysis (3 hours)
Week 18: Advanced Integration with AI and ML Frameworks (10 hours)
·    Using vector databases with reinforcement learning frameworks (4 hours)
·    Integration with other AI frameworks and libraries (3 hours)
·    Cross-framework compatibility and best practices (3 hours)
Week 19: Emerging Trends and Cutting-Edge Research (10 hours)
·    Survey of recent advances in vector database research (4 hours)
·    Analysis of emerging trends in AI and ML that impact vector databases (3 hours)
·    Discussion of open research problems and potential future developments (3 hours)
Week 20: Optimization and Performance Tuning (10 hours)
·    Techniques for optimizing vector database performance (4 hours)
·    Load testing and stress testing (3 hours)
·    Identifying and addressing performance bottlenecks (3 hours)
Week 21: Data Privacy and Security in Vector Databases (10 hours)
·    Privacy-preserving similarity search techniques (4 hours)
·    Secure data storage and access control in vector databases (3 hours)
·    Regulations and compliance considerations (3 hours)
Week 22: Building Custom Vector Database Solutions (10 hours)
·    Overview of open-source vector database projects (3 hours)
·    Designing and implementing a custom vector database solution (4 hours)
·    Contributing to open-source vector database projects (3 hours)
Week 23: Industry Guest Lectures and Case Studies (10 hours)
·    Guest lectures from industry professionals on vector database applications (5 hours)
·    Analysis of real-world case studies in various industries (5 hours)
Week 24: Course Reflection and Career Opportunities (10 hours)
·    Discussion of career paths and opportunities in the field of vector databases and high-dimensional data management (4 hours)
·    Review of course concepts and how they apply to real-world problems (3 hours)
·    Preparation for job interviews and portfolio development (3 hours)