---
pdfexport: true
alias: tutorials-ai-getting-started
timetoread: true
tutorial: full
description: "Learn how to use AI and AI actions from supported entity pages in Critical Manufacturing MES"
---

# Getting Started with AI

This tutorial uses a Cookie Factory scenario to introduce **AI**. You will start a conversation in **AI**, ask a question about a **Material**, summarize a **Resource** document, and compare two versions of a **Product**.

## Before You Start

Complete the [[user-guide-ai-index#preconditions|AI prerequisites]] for your environment.

## Scenario

!!! info "Cookie Factory Scenario"
    The Cookie Factory scenario is an example only. Use supported entities, documents, and attachments available in your environment. Adapt the object names and prompts to your own scenario.

## Prepare the Scenario

You are reviewing the following Cookie Factory data before production starts:

| Item | Example configuration | Reference |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Material** | Create `Cookie01` at the `Mixing` **Step** and set it to `Queued`. | [[user-guide-create-material|Create Material]] |
| **Resource** | Create `Chocolate_Oven-01`. | [[user-guide-create-resource|Create Resource]] |
| **Document** | Create an effective internal **Document** named `Oven Cleaning Procedure` and upload `Oven Cleaning Procedure.pdf`. Associate it with `Chocolate_Oven-01` through the `ResourceDocumentContext` Smart Table. | [[user-guide-create-document|Create Document]] and [[resourcedocumentcontext-st|ResourceDocumentContext]] |
| **Product** | Create `Belgas` **Product** versions `A.1` and `A.2`, and change at least one property value in `A.2`. | [[user-guide-create-product|Create Product]] |
| **AI Agent** | Configure an available **AI Agent** for the Cookie Factory environment. | [[user-guide-ai-agent|AI Agent]] |

Table: Cookie Factory scenario setup

### Prepare the Resource Document

1. Create a PDF file named `Oven Cleaning Procedure.pdf`. Include a purpose, preparation actions, safety precautions, and cleaning steps for `Chocolate_Oven-01`.
2. Create an internal **Document** in MES. Select **Browse** to upload the PDF file, and set its version to Effective. For the complete procedure, see [[user-guide-create-document|Create Document]].
3. Add a `ResourceDocumentContext` Smart Table record that associates the **Document** with `Chocolate_Oven-01`. For more information, see [[resourcedocumentcontext-st|ResourceDocumentContext]].
4. Open `Chocolate_Oven-01` and select **View** to confirm that the **Document** is available. For more information, see [[user-guide-view-resource-documents|View Resource Documents]].

!!! info "Action Availability"
    Available actions depend on the entity and the selected content. If an action is unavailable, use an entity, document, or attachment that supports it.

## Exercise 1: Start a Conversation in AI

Use **AI** to ask a broad production question without first opening a specific entity page.

1. From the main navigation menu, select **AI**.
2. Select an available **AI Agent**.
3. Enter the following prompt: `What should the Cookie Factory supervisor review before the next production run?`
4. Review the response and ask a follow-up question if needed.

![AI Main Navigation Option](../../images/ai_getting_started_01.png)

**AI** provides a direct conversation workspace. Use **Ask AI** from an entity page when the question should include the context of that entity.

## Exercise 2: Ask About a Material

Use **Ask AI** to review the context available for `Cookie01`.

1. Open the `Cookie01` **Material** page.
2. Select **Ask AI** from the MES AI group in the entity toolbar.
3. Enter the following question: `Summarize the current status and configuration of this Material.`
4. Review the response in the **AI** panel.

![AI Ask AI Option - Entities](../../images/ai_getting_started_02.png)

The response uses the context available for the current **Material**. You can ask additional questions to focus on a specific part of that context.

## Exercise 3: Summarize a Resource Document

Use **View Summary** to review the `Oven Cleaning Procedure.pdf` document before using `Chocolate_Oven-01`.

1. Open the `Chocolate_Oven-01` **Resource** page.
2. Select **View**.
3. Select `Oven Cleaning Procedure.pdf`.
4. Select **Summarize**.
5. Review the generated summary.

![AI Summarize Option - Attachments - Documents](../../images/ai_getting_started_03.png)

When a single document or attachment is selected, you can also use **Ask AI** to ask questions about its content. When multiple documents or attachments are selected, use **Ask AI** to ask a question about the selected content.

## Exercise 4: Compare Product Versions

Use **Compare** to review the changes between the `A.1` and `A.2` versions of the `Belgas` **Product**.

1. Open the `Belgas` **Product** page.
2. Select **Compare** from the entity toolbar.
3. Select versions `A.1` and `A.2`.
4. Open the **Ask AI** menu and select **Compare**.
5. Review the comparison in the **AI** panel.

![AI Compare Option - Entity Compare](../../images/ai_getting_started_04.png)

The comparison helps you identify the relevant differences without manually reviewing every versioned property.

## Next Steps

* [[user-guide-using-ai|Using AI]] explains the available access points and actions.
* [[user-guide-ai-supported-sources|Supported Sources]] explains the content that **AI** can use as input.
* [[user-guide-ai-prompt-configuration|Prompt Configuration]] explains how prompts are configured.
* [[user-guide-generate-shift-handover-summary|Generate a Shift Handover Summary]] provides a task-specific scenario for the **Shift Logbook**.
* [[user-guide-uipages-generate-uipages-with-ai|Generate UI Pages with AI]] provides a task-specific scenario for **UI Pages**.
* [[user-guide-generate-dashboards-with-ai|Generate dashboards with AI]] provides a task-specific scenario for **Analytics Views**.