How to generate text embeddings with OpenAI's API in Python

Text embeddings convert concepts into numerical sequences, making it easy for computers to grasp the relationships between different ideas. OpenAI has launched an enhanced and more efficient embedding model that’s not only more capable but also cost-friendly and easier to handle. In this Answer, we will look into the process of generating these text embeddings with OpenAI’s API utilizing Python.

What are embeddings?

An essential part of natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, embeddings represent words or even whole documents as vectors in a high-dimensional space. This representation holds the underlying meaning of the text, and it’s useful for many tasks such as clustering, classification, and topic identification.

For example, the embedding vector of “felines say” will be more similar to the embedding vector of “meow” than that of “roar.”

Setting up the environment

Before you begin, you’ll need to have Python installed on your system and the OpenAI Python library. You can install the latter using pip:

pip install openai

Don’t forget to secure an API key from OpenAI for the necessary authentication.

Creating text embeddings

The latest model, text-embedding-ada-002, from OpenAI, supersedes five earlier models, delivering enhanced performance at a reduced cost. The following shows how to request the new model at the /embeddings endpoint:

import openai
import os
openai.api_key = os.environ["SECRET_KEY"]
response = openai.Embedding.create(
input="Educative answers section is helpful",
model="text-embedding-ada-002"
)
print(response)

This code will render the embedding for the input text provided.

Text similarity models

These models help identify how similar different texts are semanticallyRelating to meaning in language or logic.. They have applications in clustering, regression, anomaly detection, and even in creating visual representations. Here's an example of how to compare the similarity of two pieces of text:

import openai, numpy as np
openai.api_key = os.environ["SECRET_KEY"]
resp = openai.Embedding.create(
input=["feline friends say", "meow"],
engine="text-similarity-davinci-001"
)
embedding_a = resp['data'][0]['embedding']
embedding_b = resp['data'][1]['embedding']
similarity_score = np.dot(embedding_a, embedding_b)
print(similarity_score)

Text search models

Text search models enable large-scale search tasks, like finding relevant documents among a collection given a text query. They generalize better than word overlap techniques and capture the semantic meaning of the text.

Code search models

These specialized models are crafted for searching code, enabling you to locate relevant code segments using natural language inquiries. They offer substantially improved outcomes compared to earlier techniques.

Applications and use cases

OpenAI’s embeddings have found their way into various practical applications, including:

  • Kalendar AI: Tailoring the correct sales pitch to clients.

  • Notion: Enhancing search capabilities beyond mere keyword matching.

  • JetBrains Research: Employed in astronomical data examination.

  • FineTune Learning: Assisting in discovering textbook content according to educational goals.

Conclusion

The text embeddings provided by OpenAI offer a versatile way to interact with both text and code. With just a minimal amount of Python coding, you can create embeddings that capture the actual essence of your input, unlocking a wide range of applications. Whether you aim to build a search mechanism, categorize documents, or visually represent the relationships among various concepts, OpenAI’s embeddings are an invaluable resource in your array of tools.

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