OpenAI Assistants API - Part 1: information retrieval functionality with working code

This a 3 part series to explain and demo how OpenAI's Assistant API works:

To get a copy of the code on google colab notebook, come find and follow me (Lily Cheng) on Linked-in and I'll send it to you!

OpenAI just announced the brand new Assistants API on DevDay and it's so hot, it's taken down the whole chatGPT and API service! Assistant API basically enables you to easily build a custom chatbot on top of the GPT4 LLM that knows how to retrieve additional information from files that you upload and also can take actions (like agent functionality) by being able to call up to 128 functions that you give it. You would've heard about "GPTs" from DevDay - this is the same functionality but exposed via API

In this video, I will explain the new lingo and how it all works conceptually, then work through a retrieval demo and also show you how it works on the no-code interface.

[samsquamsh]

very instructive! really well explained, and nice walk through of your mental model of the flows of the assistant and the thread. 5/5 stars🙂

[chimoji]

I think for non programmers like me... this might still be too next level XD

[briancoder]

Very succinct and clear. Thank you very much, Lily.

[ManiSaintVictor]

Thank you! This is very clear and useful. I finally understand how to implement the code.

[pindopurba]

Thank you very much, i manage to work it out following this.

[XCmdr]

What an amazing guide Lily thank you! I just followed you and sent you a connection invite. Looking forward to connecting and hopefully having productive discussions 😃

[ranymagdy]

That was very informtive, thank you so much and diffenetly following you and looking forward to connect with you and to use the colab file

[rluijk]

Thanks for both. Very clear explanations.

[jaysonp]

For their RAG it's just simple retrieval. They said they're looking at adding more strategies but I'd still use my own rag system with function calls for now

[balrajvishnu]

Why would you want to use Google Collab when we can use the playground

[yifeitong]

Many thanks for the video ! I am wondering about the data privacy when uploading files and what if the file(s) would have too big size like a relational database. I am working on a project using GPT API (0613 version) to do some data analysis over local files. Having concerns about data privacy, I only use prompt describing the file and get python code through API. Without having the uploaded file, GPT itself cannot make a self-check whether the code reaches what I asked for. Do you have any suggestions on this ?

[kevinkyosunlee]

Thanks for the video. It is really helpful. I just followed you on LI as well. Is it possible to get codes for this video? Thanks!!!

[LearnWithShajeel]

Thanks, which tool did you use this illustration?

[elrecreoadan]

Hi! What differences are there between GPTs and Assistants? When is it adequate to use one or another?

[oscaralbani]

Hi Lily, s it possible to get codes for this video? Thanks!!

[KB-]

I've been trying to find a sample template to feed to the assistant. What should the format look like? For example can i feed product specs sheet in CSV file?

[caiofernando]

Congratulations on the video. Could you share the code on colab?

[itsjustmeemman]

Do threads automatically expire or get deleted ? I cannot find documentation about handling threads. Though its still in Beta I'm worried about the current context length of a thread. The simplest I could do now is to limit the number of messages inside a thread and if it exceeds that delete it and create a new one kinda like langhcains

[AI-Wire]

Could you please share and drop a link to your Colab notebook?

[NickSealPueo]

Was there a link to that workbook or the code?