Merge pull request #9828 from RasaHQ/prepare-release-2.8.9

prepared release of version 2.8.9

CHANGELOG.mdx

@@ -16,6 +16,31 @@ https://github.com/RasaHQ/rasa/tree/main/changelog/ . -->
 
 <!-- TOWNCRIER -->
 
+## [2.8.9] - 2021-10-08
+### Improvements
+- [#7619](https://github.com/rasahq/rasa/issues/7619): Bump TensorFlow version to 2.6.
+
+ This update brings some security benefits (see TensorFlow 
+ [release notes](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/releases/tag/v2.6.0)
+ for details). However, internal experiments suggest that it is also associated with
+ increased train and inference time, as well as increased memory usage.
+
+ You can read more about why we decided to update TensorFlow, and what the expected 
+ impact is [here](https://rasa.com/blog/let-s-talk-about-tensorflow-2-6/).
+
+ If you experience a significant increase in train time, inference time, and/or memory 
+ usage, please let us know in the [forum](https://forum.rasa.com/t/feedback-upgrading-to-tensorflow-2-6/48331).
+
+ Users can no longer set `TF_DETERMINISTIC_OPS=1` if they are using GPU(s) because a 
+ `tf.errors.UnimplementedError` will be thrown by TensorFlow (read more
+ [here](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/releases/tag/v2.6.0)).
+
+ :::caution
+ This **breaks backward compatibility of previously trained models**.
+ It is not possible to load models trained with previous versions of Rasa Open Source. Please re-train
+ your assistant before trying to use this version.
+
+ :::
 ## [2.8.8] - 2021-10-06
 
 

pyproject.toml

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ exclude = "((.eggs | .git | .pytest_cache | build | dist))"
 
 [tool.poetry]
 name = "rasa"
-version = "2.8.8"
+version = "2.8.9"
 description = "Open source machine learning framework to automate text- and voice-based conversations: NLU, dialogue management, connect to Slack, Facebook, and more - Create chatbots and voice assistants"
 authors = [ "Rasa Technologies GmbH <hi@rasa.com>",]
 maintainers = [ "Tom Bocklisch <tom@rasa.com>",]

rasa/constants.py

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 CONFIG_TELEMETRY_ENABLED = "enabled"
 CONFIG_TELEMETRY_DATE = "date"
 
-MINIMUM_COMPATIBLE_VERSION = "2.8.0"
+MINIMUM_COMPATIBLE_VERSION = "2.8.9"
 
 GLOBAL_USER_CONFIG_PATH = os.path.expanduser("~/.config/rasa/global.yml")
 

rasa/version.py

@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 # this file will automatically be changed,
 # do not add anything but the version number here!
-__version__ = "2.8.8"
+__version__ = "2.8.9"