---
title: "Embeddings and feature vectors"
description: "How models turn text, images and records into numbers that can be compared."
url: https://lidvizion.ai/resources/basics/embeddings-feature-vectors/
site: Lid Vizion
index: https://lidvizion.ai/llms.txt
---

[Basics](https://lidvizion.ai/resources/) AI setup

# Embeddings and feature vectors

How models turn text, images and records into numbers that can be compared.

## What an embedding is

An embedding is a list of numbers — a vector — that a model produces to represent a piece of content. Content with similar meaning ends up with vectors that are close together, so “refund request” and “I want my money back” land near each other even though they share no words.

## What they are used for

Embeddings make meaning searchable and comparable:

- Semantic search over documents, tickets or knowledge bases.
- Retrieval for AI assistants: finding the right passages to give a model as context.
- Grouping similar items, and spotting duplicates or outliers.
- Matching images to images, or images to text descriptions.

## Practical cautions

Vectors inherit the permissions problem of the content they came from: if a user should not see a document, they should not retrieve its passages either. Re-embed when the source changes, and keep the link back to the original record so answers can be checked.

Put it to work

## Connect your tools

Put the right context within reach of the workflow.

[How we do it](https://lidvizion.ai/services/integrations/)

Keep reading

## More basics.

[All basics](https://lidvizion.ai/resources/)

- [Fine-tuning vs. pre-trained models](https://lidvizion.ai/resources/basics/model-fine-tuning-vs-pre-trained-models/): Why most teams should start with a capable pre-trained model, and when fine-tuning earns its cost.
- [What is computer vision?](https://lidvizion.ai/resources/basics/what-is-computer-vision/): Software that turns images and video into structured information a system can act on.
- [Image vs. video processing](https://lidvizion.ai/resources/basics/image-vs-video-processing/): When a single frame is enough, and when you need motion, sequence and time.

Bring the messy version

## One workflow. A better way to run it.

Show us the tools, the handoffs, and the part that keeps slowing your team down.

[Let’s map your workflow](https://lidvizion.ai/contact/) · [Read our approach](https://lidvizion.ai/approach/)