---
alias: user-guide-using-ai
description: "Use Ask AI, Compare, and View Summary in Critical Manufacturing MES"
---

# Using AI

Use **AI** from supported entity pages and related content areas. To start a conversation with an available **AI Agent**, see [[user-guide-ai|AI]].

## Available Actions

The following actions may be available:

* **AI** - start a conversation with an available **AI Agent**.
* **Ask AI** - ask questions about the selected entity, document, or attachment.
* **Compare** - compare two versions of the same entity or document.
* **View Summary** - generate a summary of the selected document, attachment, or supported operational context.

## Access Points

=== "AI"

    From the main navigation menu, select **AI**. AI loads an available **AI Agent**. Use the agent selector in the header to switch to another available **AI Agent**, then enter a prompt to start a conversation.

    ![Main Navigation Menu AI Access](../images/ai_main_nav_menu.png)

    Use **New Chat** to start a separate conversation, or select a conversation from the history to continue it. You can also attach files to a conversation.

=== "Ask AI"

    From the entity toolbar, select **Ask AI** in the MES AI group.

    ![Entity toolbar with Ask AI in the MES AI group.](../images/ai_entity_toolbar_button_access.png)

=== "Compare"

    From the entity toolbar, select **Compare** when the entity supports version comparison.

    ![Entity toolbar with Compare available for a versioned entity.](../images/ai_entity_toolbar_button_access_compare.png)

=== "View Documents"

    From the **View Documents** window, use the available **AI** actions.

    ![View Documents Wizard Gen AI Option.](../images/ai_in_view_documents.png)

=== "Documents and Attachments"

    From the **Documents** or **Attachments** section of the entity page, use the available **AI** actions.

    ![Documents and Attachments section with AI actions.](../images/ai_attachments_toolbar.png)

## Panel Behavior

When you use **AI** from a wizard, the panel opens over the wizard. This lets you review the wizard while you use **AI**.

On desktop, select **More** in the panel header to change how the panel is displayed:

* Select **Fullscreen** to expand the panel. Select **Exit fullscreen** to restore its previous size.

    ![AI panel displayed in fullscreen mode.](../images/ai_panel_fullscreen.png)

* Select **Float** to detach the panel from the page. Move the floating panel by dragging its header, and resize it as needed.

    ![AI panel floating over a wizard.](../images/ai_panel_floating.png)

* Select **Docked** to return a floating panel to the side of the page.

    ![AI panel docked to the side of a wizard.](../images/ai_panel_docked.png)

## Documents and Attachments

When you use **AI** from the **Documents** or **Attachments** section:

* If you select one document or attachment, both **Ask AI** and **View Summary** may be available.

    ![Toolbar actions for a selected document or attachment.](../images/ai_attachments_toolbar_askai_summarize.png)

* If you select multiple documents or attachments, only **Ask AI** is available.

    ![Toolbar with Ask AI for multiple selected documents or attachments.](../images/ai_attachments_toolbar_askai.png)

* If you open a single document, the menu may provide both **Ask AI** and **View Summary**.

    ![Document action menu with Ask AI and View Summary.](../images/ai_attachments_document_options.png)

An **Ask AI** conversation opened from selected attachments is separate from a conversation opened from the entity. Ask AI does not reopen the entity conversation when you switch to an attachment.

## Expected Interaction

When the **AI** panel opens, the system sends context information to the configured LLM. Depending on the action, this context can include the current entity, the selected documents or attachments, and an optional initial prompt.

For more information on prompt customization, see [[user-guide-ai-prompt-configuration|Prompt Configuration]].