Where are uploaded datasets stored in Vertex AI?

Uploaded datasets in Vertex AI are stored in a Google Cloud Storage bucket. Google Cloud Storage (GCS) provides a scalable, durable, and secure way to store data, which makes it an ideal choice for machine learning workflows. When you upload datasets in Vertex AI, they are typically moved into a GCS bucket where they can be easily accessed and managed.

Using Google Cloud Storage for dataset storage allows users to take advantage of features such as versioning, lifecycle management, and fine-grained access control. This integration is essential for working with large datasets, as it offers high availability and performance, making it easier for data scientists and machine learning engineers to facilitate data processing and model training steps.

In contrast, local databases may not provide the scale or accessibility required for training machine learning models. BigQuery, while effective for analytics and large-scale data processing, is not the primary storage location for datasets meant to be directly used in Vertex AI model training. Relying on a private server would not leverage the full benefits and services offered by Google Cloud, including automatic scaling and seamless integration within the Google Cloud ecosystem.