---
sourceDocument: Australia Conversational Interfaces
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/conversational-interfaces

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Conversational Interfaces

ft:clusterId :

    - convint

bundleId :

    - convint

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Create a custom AI Search experience

# Create a custom AI Search experience for Virtual Agent
conversations {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read

Define a custom AI Search experience in a conversation using the AI Search topic block. You create a Search Application Configuration used by
the topic block to control the AI Search results returned in the
conversation. Or you can use the Search Application Configuration to control AI Search results in a custom chat experience.

## Before you begin

[Create the search
profile](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=create-search-profile-ais&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US) that defines the search
experience to be used in the search application configuration. For details, see
[Search profiles](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=defining-search-profiles-ais&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US) and [Search application
configurations](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=defining-search-app-cfgs-ais&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US).

Role required: virtual_agent_admin or admin with the search application administrator
\[search_application_admin\] role

## About this task

A search application configuration specifies the AI Search profile
used by the Run AI Search topic block or in a custom chat experience
to control the search experience, such as the search source used to generate search
results.  
Note:  
As of the Utah release, use the AI Search topic block when creating an AI Search application. (The Run AI Search topic block is used in releases from Rome to Tokyo.)

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllAI SearchSearch ExperienceSearch Applications and select New to create the search application configuration.
2. On the form, fill in the fields.  
   For more information, see [Search Application Configuration form](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=search-app-config-form-ais&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US).
3. Select Submit.
4. Apply the custom Search Application Configuration to the AI Search topic block used in a conversation or to a custom chat experience.

   | Option | Procedure |
   | Specify the custom Search Application Configuration in the AI Search topic block used in a conversation | Add the AI Search topic block to a conversation topic. For details, see [Add a reusable topic block to a calling topic or topic block](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/tZFXpnTYMOhndUlNFJLWbg "Add a reusable topic block to a calling (parent) topic or topic block to run a specific function or task in the calling topic. You specify input parameters used in the topic block, and you specify output parameters that are used by the calling topic."). 1. Navigate to Conversational InterfacesAssistant Designer, select the Asset library tab, and open your topic or [create a new topic](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/pgkFzTLQcACoaBJJwOjPSA "Use Assistant Designer Asset library to create and modify Virtual Agent topics (conversations). Build your topic to meet a specific objective or goal, such as fulfilling a user's request or helping a user complete a task."). 2. In the Flow tab, drag the Topic Block utility onto the canvas. 3. Complete the Topic Block Properties sheet: * In the Topic Block field, select AI Search. * In the Search Term (String) field, use dot-walking or a script to specify the input variable for the search. * In the Search Application Configuration field, select the custom Search Application Configuration that you created in a previous step. If you leave this field empty, AI Search uses the default search application configuration for Virtual Agent. * If needed, click Hide this node and specify conditions. {#create-va-aisearch-application__ul_rcg_tys_wqb} 4. Select Save. The AI Search topic block runs the selected search application configuration to generate the customized AI Search experience. {#create-va-aisearch-application__ol_ovc_xxs_wqb} |
   | Use the custom Search Application Configuration in a custom chat experience | Create or update a custom chat experience that uses the Run AI Search topic block with the custom Search Application Configuration. For details on creating a custom experience, see [Configure a Virtual Agent chat experience](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/JgQvKFaxAONC7_tsw1sYzA "Change the preconfigured Virtual Agent default chat experience or create a custom chat experience for your users. You can configure setup topics, specify promoted topics, and if needed, change the search profile."). |
   |-|-|

   {#create-va-aisearch-application__choicetable_csd_xws_wqb}  
   Your custom Search Application Configuration is used in the AI Search topic block in a conversation or a custom chat experience to generate the customized AI Search experience.

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