--- sourceDocument: Australia Workflow Data Fabric sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/integrate-applications Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia Workflow Data Fabric ft:clusterId : - crint bundleId : - crint workflow : - Creator --- # Build an automation with AI # Build an automation with AI {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated July 31, 2025 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read Enhance the automation logic with AI text instructions, either in an empty activity or by selecting a component in an existing one by using the ServiceNow Otto for RPA Hub application. ## Before you begin Set up the RPA Desktop Design Studio application and add the ServiceNow instance details. For more information, see [Set up RPA Desktop Design Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/x8c1EZHg_pBd0Y0LhPdIJQ "Set up RPA Desktop Design Studio to add your ServiceNow RPA Hub instance details in Connection Manager and to start using the application."). To access the AI features in RPA Desktop Design Studio, perform the following steps: * Install the ServiceNow Otto for RPA Hub application to add the generative AI capability. For more information, see [Install ServiceNow Otto for RPA Hub](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/IDLA4r~3YvSHiiD3e31ICA "If you have the admin role, you can install the ServiceNow Otto for RPA Hub application so that your human agents or users can get started with developing automations faster."). * Turn on the RPA bot generation skill to use the generative AI capability. For more information, see [Turn on the RPA bot generation skill](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/T~nvJ_tkd6IAZZCLhU9CUQ "Turn on the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) bot generation skill to use generative AI to create automations, activities, and automation logic additions from text instructions and preview options."). * After activating the RPA bot generation skill, relaunch the RPA Desktop Design Studio application to apply the modified settings. {#build-automation-now-assist__ul_nwp_ldh_zdc} If you skip these steps, the ServiceNow Otto for RPA Hub feature doesn't appear in RPA Desktop Design Studio. Familiarize yourself with the RPA bot generation skill concepts. For more information, see [Robotic Process Automation (RPA) bot generation skill](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/X3gX8L757mh3XJOIH6AK7A "Use the RPA bot generation skill to create automations, activities, and automation logic additions from text instructions and preview options from the RPA Desktop Design Studio user interface."), [Limitations of ServiceNow Otto for RPA Hub](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/2TjU6FIES~kRBo~fcq_o3Q "The limitations of the RPA bot generation skill are as follows."), and [Example instructions for ServiceNow Otto for RPA Hub](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/WNidCR_x~zExzFwYwd0fkw "Example instructions you can use with Now Assist for RPA Hub to get relevant, accurate responses. Refer to these examples when crafting instructions to guide automation tasks."). Role required: sn_rpa_fdn.rpa_developer or sn_rpa_fdn.rpa_admin ## About this task The Build automation option (or the in-line prompting feature) with the AI icon ![](), appears only for those components that contain control output ports. For example, the AI icon doesn't appear for components such as END or Break. On the design surface, if you select multiple components and the AI icon ![](), the in-line prompting trigger appears for the first component that you select. If there are multiple control output ports for a component, the generated automation workflow is attached to the default or first control output port. ## Procedure 1. In the RPA Desktop Design Studio, extend the automation logic with in-line prompting from the component level or from the design surface. | Option | Procedure | | From component level | 1. On the design surface, select the required component and hover over the AI icon ![](). 2. Open the in-line prompting window by selecting the AI icon ![]() and selecting Build automation. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Enter to open the in-line prompting window. Figure 1. Build an automation logic by selecting a component {#build-automation-now-assist__ol_bn3_xpv_ydc} If you access in-line prompting from the component level, the automation workflow is generated to the default control output port of the component. | | From design surface | On the design surface, open the in-line prompting window by selecting and holding (or right-clicking) and selecting Build automation. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Enter to open the in-line prompting window. Figure 2. Build an automation logic from an empty activity on the design surface If you access in-line prompting from the design surface, the generated automation workflow is an orphan flow. You must connect the control output ports. | |-|-| {#build-automation-now-assist__choicetable_lsf_npv_ydc} 2. In the Build automation with AI window, enter the AI instructions and select the enter icon ![](). For example, Launch www.servicenow.com from location 'C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe'. The instruction text is used by the RPA bot generation skill to create your automation. Use short, direct, and clear sentences to describe the expected actions. Be specific and provide detailed descriptions of the automation logic. Avoid jargon and abbreviations. The following example shows that the AI instructions are provided to build an automation to launch the ServiceNow website with Google Chrome. Figure 3. Build with AI window Note: For more information on example AI instructions and general guidelines, see [Robotic Process Automation (RPA) bot generation skill](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/X3gX8L757mh3XJOIH6AK7A "Use the RPA bot generation skill to create automations, activities, and automation logic additions from text instructions and preview options from the RPA Desktop Design Studio user interface."). For more information about the limitations of the RPA bot generation skill, see [Limitations of ServiceNow Otto for RPA Hub](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/2TjU6FIES~kRBo~fcq_o3Q "The limitations of the RPA bot generation skill are as follows."). 3. In the Build with AI window, close the window, cancel the workflow generation, reject an automation, or accept the automation preview. | Option | Procedure | | Close | If you want to close the Build with AI window, select the close icon ![](), and then select Close AI in the confirmation window. The generated automation workflow is discarded. | | Stop generating | If you want to cancel the workflow generation or update the instruction, select Stop generating. You can update the AI instructions and select the enter icon ![](). | | Reject | If you aren't satisfied with the automation preview, select Reject. Each time you build or rebuild an automation, the operation counts as an assist tracked by your AI subscription. To track your AI usage, see [Monitoring Now Assist usage in Subscription Management](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=monitoring-now-assist-usage&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US). | | Accept | If the automation preview looks good, select Accept. | |-|-| {#build-automation-now-assist__choicetable_tkm_2nn_4dc} Figure 4. Close and Stop generation options Figure 5. Accept and Reject options {#build-automation-now-assist__steps_ab3_j4b_tdc} ## Result The automation workflow that is generated by AI is displayed on the design surface.Figure 6. Generated automation workflow on the design surface