AI Search - semantic search

[Bernard Esterhu]

I'm trying to find out more about AI Search. 

For now (March 2025) it looks like Semantic Search (vector) is only available in limited cases:

For the rest, it seems there is only keyword search, which is far inferior to semantic search (embedding/vector based).

The search feature is advertised as AI Search, however it is mostly keyword search, which is not really very "AI". Any ideas on when Semantic Search will be available for all data sources?

[Lynda1]

You are looking for Generative AI aka Now Assist. Now Assist requires a subscription. It is available to everyone and accesses everything within the environment, just requires a subscription.

[michaelward]

Did you get any additional information on this?  I am finding that the search app only has the 'enable_semantic_search' field available if a Now Assist for AI Search plugin is installed, and that plugin may only be installed as a part of a major SKU when it is installed, e.g. Now Assist for HRSD.  This is based on research, not experience, but I'll report back if/when I can get this installed.  Interestingly, as a partner, one of our demo instances shows the form section for semantic search as deprecated - I think from quite literally a form section harcoded label.  Curious.  I'm trying to chase down if that was by ServiceNow or us.  Regardless, my question is similar in that can it be used outside of the context of Now Assist use case: Genius results, VA, etc.?  I am interested if there's a chance that the embedded vector capability can be leveraged for knowledge article comparison / duplication scores.