MCP Server Console — POC/evaluation options

[TestPOCP]

Hi all — I'm evaluating the native MCP Server Console (sn_mcp_server) for exposing ServiceNow capabilities to an external, third-party MCP client (machine-to-machine). Looking for authoritative answers before provisioning anything.

1. Evaluation / licensing options for a POC (main question). What's the lowest-friction way to test the native MCP Server Console for a POC without a full production purchase?

• Is it available on a Personal Developer Instance (PDI)? (My understanding is no, since it requires Now Assist — please confirm.)
• Is it available on a Now Learning lab instance, and if so which course provisions a new-enough release?
• Is there a trial / time-limited eval / GenAI Innovation Lab / demo instance option?
• What is the minimum entitlement required to activate it (e.g., does any Now Assist SKU work, or is a specific tier/seat minimum required)?

[shubhamseth]

@TestPOCP 

As per me:

For a low-friction POC, your best path is usually:

1. Ask your ServiceNow Account Team for a temporary AI Platform / Now Assist evaluation instance.
2. Use a non-production customer instance with a temporary Now Assist entitlement.
3. Avoid planning around a PDI because the MCP Server Console depends on Now Assist activation and is generally not available in standard PDIs.

• Is it available on a Personal Developer Instance (PDI)? - No
• Is it available on a Now Learning lab instance, and if so which course provisions a new-enough release? - There is no course specific to MCP. However, you can opt coures related to AI Agents etc. 
• Is there a trial / time-limited eval / GenAI Innovation Lab / demo instance option? - Yes, there are coures related to AI Agents, GenAI which you can opt it. 
• What is the minimum entitlement required to activate it (e.g., does any Now Assist SKU work, or is a specific tier/seat minimum required) - MCP Server Console is available with activation of a Now Assist application.

Hope this helps!