Vector Embeddings Hit Mathematical Limits: Google DeepMind Report
Last Updated on September 4, 2025 by Editorial Team
Author(s): MKWriteshere
Originally published on Towards AI.
Why state-of-the-art search models fail on complex queries — and what to build instead
Your AI Search works until it doesn’t.
This article discusses the limitations of current AI search models, specifically highlighting how vector embeddings struggle with complex queries due to fundamental mathematical constraints. It explains that despite advancements in embedding models, there are inherent retrieval tasks that cannot be effectively solved, regardless of improvements in data size or training duration. The piece further outlines three key measurements for evaluating embedding models, demonstrates their failures through a specific dataset called LIMIT, and provides insights into alternative approaches for enhancing performance in AI retrieval systems.
Read the full blog for free on Medium.
Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming a sponsor.
Published via Towards AI
Take our 90+ lesson From Beginner to Advanced LLM Developer Certification: From choosing a project to deploying a working product this is the most comprehensive and practical LLM course out there!
Towards AI has published Building LLMs for Production—our 470+ page guide to mastering LLMs with practical projects and expert insights!

Discover Your Dream AI Career at Towards AI Jobs
Towards AI has built a jobs board tailored specifically to Machine Learning and Data Science Jobs and Skills. Our software searches for live AI jobs each hour, labels and categorises them and makes them easily searchable. Explore over 40,000 live jobs today with Towards AI Jobs!
Note: Content contains the views of the contributing authors and not Towards AI.