> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://interfacing.gitbook.io/interfacing-help-files/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://interfacing.gitbook.io/interfacing-help-files/end-users/searching-for-content/searching-with-the-ai-assistant.md).

# Searching with the AI Assistant

Leverage the AI Assistant to streamline your workflow and boost productivity with intelligent support.

The AI Assistant helps you quickly find the information you need. Just ask a question, and it will provide helpful answers, key insights, and direct links to relevant content. 

Whether you need a quick summary, a specific policy, or help navigating complex topics, the Assistant simplifies the process and saves you time.

{% hint style="info" %}
The Assistant **does not perform live internet searche**s; it provides answers **exclusively from your documentation and content**, ensuring responses are accurate, compliant, and based on trusted internal sources.
{% endhint %}

***

## Interactive Tour

Follow a quick walkthrough to open the **AI Assistant**, ask questions, and retrieve information.

{% @howdygo/embed url="<https://app.howdygo.com/share/fb964d8e-f98b-4698-a0e0-8beed314667e>" fullWidth="true" %}

***

## Using the AI Assistant

Follow these steps to use the **AI Assistant** effectively.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open the Assistant

* Click on the <i class="fa-sparkles" style="color:blue;">:sparkles:</i> <mark style="color:blue;">**AI**</mark> button in the main search bar.
* The AI Assistant opens in a side panel, ready for your questions.

***

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Ask a Question

* Type your question in the message box.
* **Optional:** Before sending your question, click **Deep Analysis** to enable a more thorough search.

{% hint style="info" %}
When **Deep Analysis** is enabled, the Assistant makes additional calls to search your organization's content more deeply. This provides **more granular explanations, broader information, and more detailed answers** than a standard search.
{% endhint %}

* Click the **Send** button.&#x20;

The Assistant searches your organization's content and generates a response based on the information available.

***

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### View Source Content

The Assistant shows the **sources of its response as clickable tiles**.

* Click a title to open the related document in a side panel.

***

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Continue the Conversation

The Assistant may suggest follow-up questions related to your search.

* Select a suggestion to continue exploring, or ask your own question.

***

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Translate Responses

The AI Assistant can suggest translating a response when the source content and your selected content language are different.

* Select the translation chip to view the response in another supported language.

***

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Close the AI Assistant&#x20;

* Click the **Minimize** ( <i class="fa-minus">:minus:</i> ) button to close the panel.
* Your conversation is automatically saved so you can continue it later.

***

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Start a New Conversation

A **green dot** on the  <i class="fa-sparkles" style="color:blue;">:sparkles:</i> <mark style="color:blue;">**AI**</mark> button indicates that a previous conversation is available.

To start a new conversation:

* Open the AI Assistant.
* Click the **Clear Chat** ( <i class="fa-arrow-rotate-right">:arrow-rotate-right:</i> )&#x20;

***

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Customize the Panel&#x20;

You can change how the AI Assistant is displayed.

<table><thead><tr><th width="123.39996337890625" align="center">Icon</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><i class="fa-square-full">:square-full:</i></td><td>Expand the Assistant to full screen.</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><i class="fa-square-half-stroke">:square-half-stroke:</i></td><td>Dock the Assistant to the right side of the screen (default).</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><i class="fa-columns-3">:columns-3:</i></td><td>Display the Assistant in the center of the screen.</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

## Example Questions

You can ask the AI Assistant a wide range of questions, from quick summaries to detailed content searches:&#x20;

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Find information</strong></p><blockquote><p><em>What is the data management policy?</em></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><em>What is our procedure for handling customer complaints?</em></p></blockquote></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Summarize something</strong></p><blockquote><p><em>Summarize the risk management requirements.</em></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><em>What are the main points of the quality policy?</em></p></blockquote></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Search for Exact Wording</strong><br><br>Find the exact terms or phrases used in your documentation by placing them inside quotation marks (<code>" "</code>).</p><blockquote><p><em>Find <code>"supplier evaluation"</code></em> .</p></blockquote><blockquote><p><em>Search for <code>"risk acceptance criteria"</code> .</em></p></blockquote></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Find QMS Forms &#x26; Workflows</strong></p><blockquote><p><em>Find information about CAPA-456.</em></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><em>Get the</em> <em>New Incident form.</em></p></blockquote></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Explore your processes</strong></p><blockquote><p><em>Show me the activities in the sales process.</em></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><em>What are the next steps after approving an invoice in the accounts payable process?</em></p></blockquote></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Find related information</strong></p><blockquote><p><em>Which controls address supplier evaluation risks?</em></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><em>What rules apply to the purchasing process?</em></p></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip**: The more specific your prompt, the more targeted and helpful your results will be. Include names, IDs, categories, attributes or other details when you have them.
{% endhint %}

***

## How the AI Assistant Works

#### What the AI Assistant Searches

The Assistant can search across:

* **Library content**, including files, policies, processes, and requirements.
* **QMS App forms and records**, using form names, keywords, or IDs.
* **Process Mining** projects, simulations, and metrics.
* **Other available platform data** that can help answer your question.

#### Security and Permissions

The AI Assistant only returns information that you are authorized to access. **Content that you&#x20;*****do not*****&#x20;have permission to view will&#x20;*****not*****&#x20;appear** in the results.

#### Content Versions

The Assistant prioritizes the **latest version** of content to avoid relying on outdated information.

When draft content is used to answer a question, the response clearly indicates that the information comes from a **draft**.

***

## Setting Up the Assistant (Admins Only)

Before users can use the AI Assistant, System Administrators must:

* **Configure the search index for each environment.** \
  This index allows the Assistant to locate relevant data. Make sure the index is updated regularly to reflect the latest content.\
  → See: [Creating a Search Index in EPC](https://www.manula.com/manuals/interfacing-technologies/epc10-webapp/15.4/en/topic/10-1-4-search-index)
* **Enable the AI Assistant in the system settings.**\
  Configure the necessary settings so the Assistant appears and functions properly in the interface.\
  → See: [Configuring AI in the System](/interfacing-help-files/administration-and-configuration/system-administrators/configuring-ai-in-the-system.md)

***

## See Also

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Searching with the Search Bar</strong></td><td>Use the <strong>Search Bar</strong> to quickly locate content across the platform.</td><td data-object-fit="cover"><a href="https://1488562728-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTx7AmE0d2Q4ja20EYjF5%2Fuploads%2FuBwKi8Med4qkb1wm24ba%2FIMS-V16-NAV-Library-Icons-50.png?alt=media&amp;token=79a31c60-6acb-465b-b13a-51e47b5750cc">IMS-V16-NAV-Library-Icons-50.png</a></td><td><a href="/interfacing-help-files/end-users/searching-for-content/searching-with-the-search-bar.md">Searching with the Search Bar</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Admins Only</strong></td><td>Learn how to set up and customize the AI Assistant</td><td data-object-fit="cover"><a href="https://1488562728-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTx7AmE0d2Q4ja20EYjF5%2Fuploads%2FJw3sQZPn22eZHZjWEBNW%2FIMS-V16-NAV-Library-Icons-38.png?alt=media&amp;token=6ea06371-004b-42d9-b20a-f5ff6ca3dce7">IMS-V16-NAV-Library-Icons-38.png</a></td><td><a href="/interfacing-help-files/administration-and-configuration/system-administrators/configuring-ai-in-the-system.md">Configuring AI in the System</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://interfacing.gitbook.io/interfacing-help-files/end-users/searching-for-content/searching-with-the-ai-assistant.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.