Retriever tool as RAG source when creating custom skill

[User687957]

Dear all,

I am actually learning to build custom skill using now assist skill kit.

For that I use for reference the follwoing lab :
https://servicenow-events-or-lab-guidebo.gitbook.io/knowledge-2025/ccl1056-k25/ccl1056-unlocking-now...

At some point this lab shows the way to use RAG and retriever tool.

Something is not clear to me at this level.

I understand eearlier that using Retriver tool and RAG is used to add external data to the model. But here it simply ask the tool to browse the entire KB for getting what it needs.

Normaly for external data, I understand that it should prompt us to import files no ?

In this lab, does the point was just to show how to use the retriever or does the kb would have been possibily scan using an other way ?

Thanks or clarification
Regards

[rpriyadarshy · Accepted solution]

@User687957  RAG is there to Complement the Model with data on which LLM is not trained on so for every DELTA Data we Use RAG concept and Pass those data also to Model for Effective OutPut.

For example - ServiceNow LLM when it was trained it never accessed my Customer KB which in Internal to Them. How LLM will refer Those KB when preparing for Answer in Customer Environment- It Uses RAG Concept for This.

In LAB its for your Practice and Concept to Supply these KBs exclusively Into ur Custom SKILL.

Some Details are here- https://www.servicenow.com/community/now-assist-articles/now-assist-in-ai-search-nov-2024-release/ta...

Regards

RP